On Friday, February 10th, 2012 at approximately 2:45PM Duke Hughes died after a brief illness. A fighter who never quit at anything that he did, lost the fight that we all shall lose one day: the fight for life.
For those of you lucky enough to have had him as the Caretaker of Residence A at the Maritime Forest Ranger School, I am sure you can remember how many times he helped you and your classmates make it to class on time with his famous bellow “UP BOYS! UP!”
Or if you were stupid enough to sass him, he would show you two clinched fists saying “One is hospital and one is death. Which one do you want?”
- Dukes Hughes 1929 – 2012
While MFRS can tell anyone how many people graduated from their program year-by-year, the statistic of how many asses Duke kicked and saved, so they could receive their diploma, was not tracked. I have a feeling it was a lot, for he continued to kick ass right up until his death.
A father, a husband, a grandfather, a great grandfather, an uncle, a cousin, a friend. He loved his family deeply. There was no other like Duke Hughes. The essence of the human fighting spirit!
Duke was surrounded by family and loved ones at the time of his death. Please check back here for visitation and funeral arrangements.
I miss you and love you Uncle Duke.
Your nephew;
Todd
UPDATE:
Hyulett Manzer “Duke” Hughes
1929-2012
Hughes, Hyulett Manzer “Duke”
The death of Duke Hughes of Waasis, NB occurred at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital on Friday, February 10th, 2012. Born in South Devon, NB on February 16th, 1929, he was the son of the late John and Mabel (Howland) Hughes and husband of the late Geraldine (Howland) Hughes.
Duke had a passion for farming and enjoyed working on the farm as much as possible. He was employed his whole life as a laborer but there was no other job he loved more than being a janitor at the Maritime Forest Ranger School. He was more like a house father to the young men who attended school there and they will remember him for his “up boys up!” statement. Duke was also an avid sports fan who kept up on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Blue Jays.
Duke is survived by his daughters, Marian Tibbits (Delbert) of Waasis, NB and Shirley Hughes of Gagetown, NB; brother, Clyde Hughes (Patricia) of Moncton, NB; sister, Jacqueline MacPherson of Fredericton, NB; six grandchildren as well as four great-granddaughters.
He is predeceased by his wife, Geraldine; his parents; twin brother, Ewart; brother, Mark and sisters, Phyllis and Pauline.
Visitation will take place at Oromocto Funeral Home, 108 Winnebago St. on Monday, February 13, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. The funeral service will be held at the Oromocto Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 2:00 pm. His son-in-law, Rev. Delbert Tibbits will officiate. Interment will be in the Waasis Cemetery at a later date. Memorial tributes in Duke’s honor may be made to the Sunset Church Building Fund. Online condolences can be made at www.oromoctofh.com.