Hughes, Edward Lancelot
The death of Ed Hughes occurred on Thursday April 8, 2010 at the Doctor Everett Chalmers Hospital. He was born in a farmhouse near Tillsonburg, Ontario on Dec 17, 1920, a son to the late Herbert Roy and Alice Agnes (Waller) Hughes. He received his early childhood education in the Tillsonburg area. After graduating from Tillsonburg High School in 1939 he worked on his father's farm before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force in November, 1940. He took training as an air navigator and subsequently navigated for coastal patrol work in flying boats off the west coast of Canada at RCAF stations Bella Bella and Coal Harbour, BC.
In 1944, Edward and his flight crew were posted to England and after training on a different flying boat, he flew anti-submarine patrols out of Northern Ireland until the end of the war in Europe. He then transferred to Transport Command, joining a Canadian Dakota (DC3) Squadron that had returned to England from Burma. After a period of flying passengers and freight around Western Europe, they flew their aircraft back to Canada in May 1946. Edward took discharge at the rank of Flying Lieutenant, after logging nearly 1700 flying hours.
That autumn, Mr. Hughes began a course in forestry at the University of Toronto. During school, he met a lovely young woman, M. Marguerite Conklin, and they were married in Aug, 1948. Graduating in 1950, he landed employment with the Research Branch of the Ontario Dept. of Lands and Forests. In 1956 he took employment with the Federal Government and the young family moved to Fredericton, NB. He remained in Fredericton, conducting research in silviculture and forest mensuration with the Canadian Forestry Service until he took early retirement in 1977.
While at Fredericton, he was active in the Canadian Institute of Forestry, serving variously as Treasurer, Councilor and Chairman of the Maritime Section. He was also active in his local community, particularly with the Nashwaaksis United Church, serving several terms each on the board of Trustees and the Committee of Stewards. In the late 1970's he was Church Treasurer. He was also a long-time member of Branch No. 4 Royal Canadian Legion.
Edward was the last surviving member of his immediate family, being predeceased by his parents and three sisters, one in infancy and three brothers, one in infancy. He was also predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Marguerite.
He is survived by two sons, Paul Hughes of Vancouver and Morley Hughes of Hamilton, and by a daughter Vivian Wilcox (Jerome) of Fredericton; and three grandsons, Christopher Wilcox (Kayla) of Fredericton, Jason Wilcox and Kyle Wilcox of Calgary. Edward is also survived by great grandson Edward Wilcox, of Fredericton.
Cremation is to take place and no visitation is planned. A Memorial Service will take place at York Funeral Home, 302 Brookside Drive on Monday, April 12, 2010 at 2 pm with Rev. George Feenstra officiating. The family requests no flowers. For those who wish, donations may be made to the Nashwaaksis United Church, or a charity of the donor's choice. Internment will take place at a later date in Sunny Bank Cemetery. Personal condolences may be offered through www.yorkfh.com