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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
HUGHES, William Andrew (Bill) - Died on 11 July 2013, his ten-year battle with multiple myeloma cancer ended. Born 24 Oct 1927 in Quetta, India. The Admiral was very proud of his family’s military heritage as the son of the late LCol. L.M. Hughes, RCHA, and the late Betty Hughes (Gray of Victoria). Grandson of the late BGen. William St. Pierre, PWOR (CO 21st Battalion CEF). Survived by his wife of almost sixty-two years, his everlasting friend and joy, Miriam (nee Carter); by sons Laughlin and Roderick (Commander, RCN) (Barbara); granddaughters Jessica, Amy, Diana, and Victoria and great-grandson Owen. Also, brother BGen. Robin L. Hughes (Ret’d) (Diana), Jack M. Hughes (Susan). Pre-deceased by his sister Ann Carmichael. Raised in Kingston, ON he was a Wolf Cub, Boy Scout, Sea Scout, and Sea Cadet. Admiral Hughes entered Royal Roads Naval College in 1944 to start his thirty-eight year naval career. He served in ten RCN ships, five RN, and one USN submarine. He served in HMCS Sioux during the Korean War. The Admiral served in eighteen shore establishments and Headquarters. During this period, he visited sixty countries, all Canada’s provinces, and twenty-seven US states. The Admiral never stopped loving the Navy, its sailors, and fellow officers. He was proud of his sea-going commands HMCS Beacon Hill, HMCS Gatineau, and the 1St and 5th Destroyer Squadrons. He retired as the Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, and to make a political point he was rowed ashore in a navy blue Admiral’s uniform, not a CF green uniform. In retirement, he and Miriam moved to the Bahamas for a four-year adventure before returning to Victoria, BC. Tennis, investing, and philanthropy were his interests in retirement. In 2012, the Admiral was awarded the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service for his work creating the Naval Memorial Window for the RCN’s Centenary in 2010. A special thanks goes to the Admiral’s excellent oncologist Dr. Adrian Yee, the compassionate care of our family physician, Dr. Elizabeth Grant and the professional and sensitive staff of Victoria Hospice for making the final days so comfortable. A service of remembrance will be held at St. Peter and Paul Naval and Garrison Church, 1379 Esquimalt Rd, on Saturday July 20, 2013 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow at the Wardroom, CFB Esquimalt. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the B.C. Cancer Foundation, 2410 Lee Ave., Victoria, B.C. V8R 6V5 for research into a cure for multiple myeloma.
Ships served in: HMS RENOWN (1946) HMS JAMAICA (1946) HMS GLASGOW (1947) HMCS HAIDA - Appointed to HAIDA 13 May 1945 as A/SLt, RCN HMCS ONTARIO - Served in ONTARIO in 1949 HMCS ANTIGONISH - Served in ANTIGONISH in 1950 HMS VERNON HMS OSPREY HMS SEA EAGLE HMCS NEW GLASGOW - Served in NEW GLASGOW in 1954 HMCS CRUSADER - Served in CRUSADER in 1954 HMCS GATINEAU - 9th Commanding Officer HMCS BEACON HILL - 16th Commanding Officer
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