FRANCIS JOHN HUGHES

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FRANCIS JOHN HUGHES (August 29, 1937 - January 13, 2003 On Monday, January 13, 2003, at his home in Pinawa, MB surrounded by his family, Frank Hughes went peacefully home to our Lord. He leaves to mourn his one and only love, June (Anderson) of more than 47 years; his daughters, Karen Hughes (Stan), Loraine Hughes, Jillian Wanlin (Hubert), and his son Stuart Hughes; eight grandchildren, Mark, Carrie-ann, Laurie, Kent, Christopher, Jade, Ashley, and Shaelyn; also five great-grandchildren, Megan, Logan, Atayah, Ashton, and Cross. Frank also leaves behind his sisters, Nora and Rose; brothers, Denis, Thomas and Kevin; as well as many nieces and nephews in his home land of England. Sadly he was predeceased by sons, John Heslop Hughes (1977), and Paul Francis Hughes (1997) his sister Mary McKenna and both parents. Frank was born on August 29, 1937 in Chopwell, County Durham, England to Maggie (Heslop) and Francis Hughes. He grew into a loving soul with a gust for life and a smile for all who crossed his path. He fell in love at fifteen when he first set eyes on June Anderson and they were married on October 29, 1955 and together raised six children. Frank was employed for fifteen years in Quality Control in the steel industry prior to immigrating with his wife and six children to Canada in the summer of 1967. They settled in the city of Winnipeg, MB where he worked briefly for Bristol Aerospace, and Motor Coach Industries. In 1968 he moved his family to Pinawa, MB where he was employed by Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. for thirty years until his retirement in 1998. Frank was at one time very involved in the Pinawa Minor Hockey Association. His passions were the Pinawa Players, and building and sailing his sail boats. He was a very talented artist which extended to engraving, painting, and sketching. He spent many hours on his computer and obtained and built an extensive collection of British bus models. Frank endured more than his share of hardships in his lifetime but he never let life knock him down. His faith in God, unwavering love for his family, his sense of humour, and his strength made him our rock. We thank God for giving him peace in easing into his new journey. We will miss you terribly, and we will never stop loving you, and will keep our promise to never forget you by keeping your memory alive. A special thank you to Palliative Care, Home Care, the staff at the Pinawa Hospital and the Pinawa Motor Inn, and the many kind friends who comforted us with their words, love, prayers, generosity, and to Rev. Robert J. Murray for his spiritual support to our family, especially the gift of communion at home while Frank (Dad) was still with us. A memorial service will be held to celebrate Franks life on Saturday, January 18 at 2:00 p.m. at PCF Gilbert School, Massey Avenue in Pinawa, MB. Rev. Robert J. Murray officiating. In lieu of flowers, if family and friends so desire, donations in Franks memory can be made to a charity of choice. "Set Your Sails And Be Free God Be With You"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 16, 2003