COLONEL PAUL F. HUGHES, CD MEMORIAL
A livestream of the memorial will be available at
http://www.livememorialservices.com/Home/ServiceDetail/19331
on Tuesday, January 18th at 12:00 p.m. (Mountain Time)
With the death on January 8th, 2022 of Colonel Paul F. Hughes CD, Canada has lost one of its most dedicated soldiers. Colonel Hughes died quietly of heart failure in his Calgary home at the age of 81. He had served as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves since he was a teenager. He leaves Beverly, his wife of more than 40 years, and daughter Alexandra. His son Brynley died in 2016.
Initially a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force (Auxiliary) and then the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve in 1962, sixty years ago Colonel Hughes chose to join the Infantry. He became a Rifleman in the 3rd Battalion of the Toronto-based The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. He was commissioned a year later and marched with the 3rd Battalion for 15 years in Canada's oldest continuously serving Infantry Regiment. He served as Adjutant, Company Commander and Deputy Commanding Officer until 1977, when his non-military work took him to Calgary.
Colonel Hughes is seated in the first row on the left (circa 1974).
His military career continued in the Southern Alberta Militia District (SAMD) and Western Militia Area until 1982, when he was named Commanding Officer of the Calgary Highlanders. In 1985 he took command of SAMD until his transfer to the Supplementary Reserve in 1987. In 2000 Colonel Hughes became Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of The Queen’s Own Rifles, a three year appointment. In 2005 he became Honorary Colonel, a role in which he served for six years, until 2011.
Colonel Hughes with Princess Alexandra at the Regimental Church in 2010 for the Regiment’s 150th Anniversary
Colonel Hughes continued to maintain a strong interest in the Militia in Calgary with the Alberta Army Cadet League, the National QOR Association, and in Toronto with the "Black Net" at the Queen's Own Rifles, as well as the QOR Association there. He and Beverly also provided financial support to the Regimental Band and Bugles.
Colonel Hughes became a mainstay of the Regimental Trust Fund, which raised money to aid in funding the Regimental Band and Bugles as well as underwriting the costs of sending the Regiment to such major events as D-Day+50 and VE Day+50. He also funded the authorship and publication of three books on Regimental history. His contributions to The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada, financially and spiritually over many years, could not be overstated. Colonel and Beverly Hughes also financed portraits of Queen Mary, Princess Alexandra, and the Duchess of Cornwall, all of whom were named the Regiment's Colonel-in-Chief. A diamond-studded brooch they presented to the Duchess when she visited the Regiment in 2017 was worn by Her Royal Highness immediately.
Colonel Hughes and Mrs. Beverly Hughes presenting The Duchess of Cornwall with a diamond-encrusted brooch.
A graduate of Queen’s University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science, Colonel Hughes also did post-graduate studies at Oxford. Colonel Hughes worked at Bell Canada as a management trainee before joining Xerox Canada Limited as a marketing representative. He remained with Xerox for 30 years, holding a variety of management positions in Toronto and Calgary until his retirement in 1991.
Colonel Hughes and Mrs. Beverly Hughes unveiling the portrait of Queen Mary at Casa Loma.
After “retirement” Colonel Hughes became Vice President of Mark Staffing Solutions, Inc., a company founded by his wife Beverly and jointly owned by them. Under their creative leadership, Mark Staffing Solutions grew to a multi-million dollar operation.
In lieu of flowers or other forms of condolence, please consider making a donation to the Regimental Band and Bugles through The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Trust Fund, Box 250, Unit 12A, 4981 Highway 7, Unionville, ON, L3R 1N1, or to the Princess Alexandra Bursary Fund online at
Donors to the Bursary Program will receive a tax receipt. Please send your cheque or money order to Toronto Foundation, 33 Bloor St. E., Suite 1603, Toronto, M4W 3H1. Donors' cheques should be made out to the Toronto Foundation and annotated “QOR BURSARY”.
“For you Ma’am,
Our sincere condolences to you and your family for the Colonel’s passing. We have so many fond memories of our shared friendships, and though it has been too long since our paths have crossed, we reminisce often of the warmth and generosity of his fellowship towards us, his philanthropy towards others, and his steadfast stewardship for our military.
We wish you peace and comfort in the memories of the great life you shared and created together.
As ever,
C.W.O. Troy MacGillivray and Rachel MacGillivray”
“Our sincere condolences to Bev, and to the family and friends of Paul. We so enjoyed knowing him through their engagement with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. He will be missed.”
“I knew Paul from my days at Mark Staffing. He was such an interesting man with wide perspective on many things I sought guidance for over the years. Paul was very generous and introduced me to trap shooting and I will continue to think of him every time I go out to the range. My condolences to my friend Bev. My thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow.”
“Fine tribute to Paul. My condolence to Bev and family.”
“Bev, you have always been a great friend to our family. I know my father Colonel Elliot Dalton, my mother Marie & my sister Beverly would join me and my brother Brett in sending our great sadness in the passing of Paul.
Also the amount of your work and generosity to the QOR is way beyond measuring.
It is an honour to say ‘Paul, you made a difference while on this earth.’
From the whole Dalton Clan”
“On behalf of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association (Toronto Branch), our deepest condolences to Bev and family. Colonel Hughes’s dedication and support to Canada and the Regiment was outstanding. Remembering him as my Company 2 I/C as a Captain and then our Company Commander as a Major of Buffs Company. He will be dearly missed by members of the Regimental Family.
Once a Rifleman always a Rifleman.
In Pace Paratus
Brian Budden & Brenda Butt
QORA (Toronto Branch) President”
“My condolences to the Hughes family. I thank you for including me in the Regimental family, my fondest memory being my first trip to Normandy in 2003 for the opening of the Juno Beach Centre, sponsored by you. A trip that changed my life, and is still a part of my life even today. Beverly, I send you my love and heartfelt thanks for those lovely “wives get-togethers”. Where would our men be without us?”
“Dear Bev & family,
To all the fine tributes for Paul and his dedicated service to the Queen’s Own Rifles, we add our own private memories. We knew Paul - and Bev - outside of the Regiment as well. Together they were generous with their friendship, love, and time. Certainly Paul was a fine soldier and great friend.
Rest in Peace.
Joan & Bernie Aaron”
“While in uniform, Paul made a significant contribution to Calgary’s military community as CO of the Calgary Highlanders and later as commander of Southern Alberta Militia District. In retirement he remained a strong and engaged supporter of soldiers, their concerns, and their regiments. We will especially miss his quick wit and bright sense of humour. Condolences to Bev.
Colonel Mike Vernon
Commander, 41 Canadian Brigade Group”
“Remembering those who never forget. Rest in Peace, Colonel.”
“Dear Bev so sorry to hear your news. Paul was a great friend of many years when I was a Buffs exchange officer and, later, when we were both COs and, much later, both HCols. Jinny and I also thoroughly enjoyed your visits to us in Victoria and hope you will continue them. We will both miss him terribly.
Lots of love:
Richard
CScotR”
“I counted him as a friend for more than 50 years. He was always upbeat whenever I talked to him. My condolences to Bev.”
“I was saddened to read of Paul’s passing. He was a friend for many years. His dedication to military service was exemplary, his compassion exceptional. He will be missed. Rest in Peace.”
“I first met Paul in 1970 while serving in the QOR. We later worked together at Xerox for many years.
He was a fair and honest Manager and Soldier.
R.I.P. Paul.”
“Paul was one of the greatest friends the Regiment has known. He was generous with his time, his service and his wealth.
RIP old comrade. It was an honour serving with you.”
“Sympathy to Bev and Alexandra and regrets we did not ever make it to Calgary before Colonel Hughes died. It was a pleasure to have served as The QOR Adjutant while Paul was our Honorary Colonel. He was a friend to all ranks of The Regiment and Bev the same for our wives.
RIP - IPP”
“Such sad news at the passing of a great friend of the Regiment but also a personal friend of many years. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bev and family at this time of sorrow. We are all better for having known Paul and we will treasure the special memories we shared.”
“Condolences to the Hughes family on the loss of such a lovely gentleman.
The Simundson-DeMedeiros family”
“Colonel Hughes was the epitome of a true Rifleman. Always ensuring the regiment was on a sound financial footing. His prowess and guidance in the Regimental family will truly be missed. My heartfelt condolences to Bev and family.”
“Paul was larger than life, and I will miss him and always remember him fondly. I particularly remember a trip to the UK that Paul, Freddie Burroughs, Chris Heyes and I took in 1976. We visited the Green Jacket’s Depot in Winchester, Blenheim Palace, the Queen’s Regiment in Yorkshire, and returned to London to attend Adam and Jill Hermant’s wedding in the chapel in the Tower of London. We all rented morning suits at Moss Brothers, and Paul looked resplendent in cutaway jacket and top hat. Paul enjoyed life and pursued it with gusto. RIP old comrade.”
“Our deepest condolences to Bev and the Hughes Family.
I didn’t even know him,
But we would like to thank him for his commitment to the QOR .
And the commitment to WWII, where he certainly made his contribution to ensure that we can now live in peace.
We Will Remember Him .
Sincerely, Gerrit Bruggink.
Representative of the QOR in the Netherlands”
“Beverly and family,
It is with respect that I, on behalf of the Members of The Queens Own Rifles of Canada, Association; VIB Branch, pay our respect to your late husband, Colonel Paul Hughes, whom gave so much of himself to the Queens Own Rifles. Although I did not know him personally, I would like to express the condolences of our Association to you and your family. Once a Rifleman, Always a Rifleman and may he forever RIP.
IPP
Joe Rozon
President, QOR Association, VIB”
“My CO in the Calgary Highlanders in 79-80. May he RIP.”
“Our deepest condolences to Bev and the Hughes Family. We remember the kindness he showed our family when our children were born, and the example they both set when it came to preserving our Regimental traditions and history. A Rifleman at heart and in action, he will be truly missed. Rest In Peace Sir, and thank you.”
“Paul will be remembered and missed.”
“Beverly & extended family members.It is with honor and respect that on behalf on the Members of The Queens Own Rifles of Canada, MN-NL Branch, I pay tribute to your late husband, Colonel Paul Hughes, whom certainly believed that serving in various branches of the military, particularly with the Queens Own Rifles,that it was the ultimate sign of patriotism and responsibility and his dedication to this responsibility and padtroitic duty obiviously shaped his long life of public duty. Paul was and always portrayed that he was a fiercely strong military individual. being part of the military regime was no doubt a defining moment in his life, and his family’s life, with his dedication knowing no bounds. All of these traits is an inspiration to all that were associated with him in his career. Once a Rifleman, Always a Rifleman and may he forever RIP.
IPP
Wayne Thomas
President, QOR Association, MN-NL”
“It is with great sadness that I read of Col Hughes’s passing. Such a fine man and friend. Bev was behind him and we loved them both.”
“I had the pleasure meeting him at our reunion in Calgary. Sorry to hear of his passing.”
“My condolences to Bev and family.”
“RIP, Paul Hughes . I only served on Major Hughes Company for a while and will be forever grateful to him for the chance to travel to England and Germany on a visit to 4 Greenjackets and to the Rifle Depot at Winchester.
Thank you, Sir.
You set me on my path in life.”
“Paul was both a personal friend and stalwart friend of the Regiment, which he served with dedication for many decades. While Paul was a serious and visionary senior officer, he also had a charming sense of humour and genuine compassion for all ranks of The QOR of C. Paul will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who served with and under him.”
“I didn’t even know him, but I just wanted you send my sympathy to his family and friends and the ones who served with him. You can now rest easy sir.”
GUESTBOOK
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