HUGHES, Douglas Frederick "Doug" - 73, Lower Sackville, passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, on Sunday morning, January 9, 2011, at Colchester Regional Hospital, Truro. Born November 26, 1937, in Bowmanville, Ontario, he was a son of the late Harry and Josephine (Balmer) Hughes. Doug was a member of Royal Canadian Navy from 1954 until he retired in 1991. He joined as Weapon Surface and later remustered to Clearance Diver; he was a deep sea diver for over 30 years. In 1971, he moved to Toronto as a member of the Experimental Diving Unit where he developed and worked the hyperbaric chamber to provide treatments for gangrene and diving ailments such as Bends. He also trained and worked with Toronto Bomb Squad Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD). While in Toronto he also worked several part time jobs to support his family and their interest in sports. He returned to the Maritimes in 1975 where he specialized in diving equipment repair and was a crew chief for the yard maintenance tenders (YMT). He was coxswain of HMCS Cormorant during 1981-1986. He was chief instructor at Fleet Diving Unit training school and remained in FDU(A) until his retirement. Doug was an active member and past president of Canadian Naval Divers Association. After his retirement, he and Vi spent many years traveling throughout the winters between Florida and Ontario. During the summer, they relaxed at their lakeside home in Lower Sackville, spending many nights with their friends around the fire pit. In his later years, Doug loved to attend his grandchildren's sports functions and spending time with his family and friends. Doug is survived by his brothers, Dennis (Jean), Oshawa, Ontario; Bryan, Bowmanville, Ontario; Brent (Sandy), Birmingham, Alabama; John (Louise), Pontypool, Ontario; sisters, Pauline (Brian), Eileen, Oshawa, Ontario; sons, Doug (Michelle), Bedford; Chris (Lindsay), Georgetown, Ontario; Brian (Anne), Lower Sackville; daughters, Debbie (Wally) Shute, Truro; Angela (Mark) Sanford, Halifax; grandchildren, Shawn, Melissa, Crystal, Scott, Nicole, Nicholas, Brandon, Danielle, Shannon, Nathan; great grandchildren, Emilio, Isaiah, Conar. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Violet Ann (Foster); sister-in-law, Elaine Hughes. As per his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m., Friday, January 14, 2011, at CFB Shearwater Chapel. Reception will follow at FDU(A) Grandy Lounge. Interment at a later date in Bowmanville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Doug's memory to Dartmouth Stroke Support Club, 26 Elliot Street, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 2X7 or a charity of choice are welcomed. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall ~ Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting the "Guest Book" at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com

"When tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart.
For every time you think of me I'll be right there in your heart".

From Doug..."See you on the bottom!"