Obituary of John Wallace Hughes

,With much appreciation for a life well lived, the family of John Wallace Hughes (Jack) announce his death which occurred peacefully on October 18, 2018 at Embassy Hall, Parkland in the Valley, Quispamsis, NB. Jack was born in Saint John, NB, April 21, 1923 to Beulah (nee Kelly) Hughes and Bernard (Ben) Hughes. He shared many fond memories of his childhood days residing on Second Street in the north end of Saint John and attending Prince Charles School. His family eventually left the city and settled in Quispamsis. He spent many summers on his grandparent’s farm at Point Wolfe near Alma, NB. He had several aunts and uncles who settled in Alma following the development of Fundy National Park where they operated businesses along Main Street for decades. Jack’s mother kept a summer cottage there which she fondly named "The Peak" in reference to its position above the Bay of Fundy offering breathtaking views of both the bay and the village of Alma. The Peak would become the hub for many years of summer gatherings not only for Jack and Betty and their children but for Jack’s siblings and their children as well. Jack enlisted in the Canadian Army in November, 1940 and received an honourable discharge on November 30, 1945 after serving with the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery and Tank Corp and the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion in England, Belgium, Holland and France but not before being injured. Jack had a twin brother James (Jimmy) who was unable to serve alongside him when it was determined there was a problem with his heart. Jimmy was forced to remain behind and later died from complications of rheumatic fever shortly after Jack returned from overseas. Upon his arrival home Jack would spend years recovering from his injuries at the Veteran’s Hospital (DVA) in Saint John. Following his discharge from hospital Jack enrolled in business college where he met the love of his life Betty, nee Cosman. They married on November 27, 1953. Jack and Betty settled into their beloved home near Ritchie Lake, Quispamsis where they raised their five children. It was during this time that Jack worked at Veteran’s Affairs in Saint John from where he would eventually retire. Following his retirement, he always kept busy with a variety of projects usually involving real estate. He bought and sold properties but not before making improvements to them. He partnered with a local contractor and developed what is now Longwood park in Quispamsis, a property that was previously owned by his father who operated a horse boarding facility there. He served on many municipal committees which were devoted to developing Quispamsis from a rural village to the town it is today. Jack was instrumental in convincing the Provincial Government to change the Pettingill Road from a narrow gravel road to a wider, much safer, paved road. He was a member of Branch 58 of The Royal Canadian Legion and a founding member of the Quispamsis United Church where he also taught Sunday School. Jack absolutely loved nature and everything about it. He loved to go fishing and if there was a single fish in the water he would be the one to catch it. As an animal lover, you would rarely see him without a dog close by his side. During the mid 1970’s he and his friend Harold Keirstead built a camp on the Kingston Peninsula which generated many fond memories for all who went there. Later in life Jack enrolled in correspondence studies so he could learn about animal behaviour which he did so passionately. He was an avid gardener and hobby farmer. Nevertheless it can be said there was nothing more important to Jack Hughes than his family. He constantly catered to his elderly relatives, not to mention the wellbeing of his wife and children. Being a father took priority over absolutely everything in his life. He loved to travel, go camping, or spend winter months in Florida, but would only enjoy it if he could be joined by his family. A life well lived, indeed. Jack is survived by his wife Betty of 65 years, as well as their five children; Beth (Gary) Lawson of Rothesay, NB, Catherine (Grant) Beckingham of Norton, NB, James (Michelle) Hughes, Clarenville, NL, John (Melanie) Hughes of Rothesay, NB and Terry of Saint John, NB. Also survived by his 8 grandchildren , Sarah Birch (Dana), Ginny Ward (Mark), Kate Robinson (Stephen), Michael Lawson (Cat), Ashley Hewlett (Wade), Keil Beckingham, Emily Hughes, Maggie Hughes, and 6 great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by brothers Bernard, James, Sterling, Donald (Donald’s infant twin sister, Joan) and his sister Kathleen "Kay" Belmore. The family wishes to acknowledge and thank the staff at both Concorde and Embassy Hall for the loving care they administered to Jack and continue to provide to Betty. Resting at Kennebecasis Community Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis (849-2119) with visiting on Sunday from 3 - 8 PM. Funeral Service will be held at Quispamsis United Church, 372 Hampton Road, Quispamsis, on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 11AM . Interment to take place at Ocean View Memorial Gardens. Remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer's Society, Parkinson's Canada or to Quispamsis United Church.