Obituary of Ray Hughes

Surrounded by the love of his family on Monday July 24, 2023, after a courageous and determined battle with cancer, the family of Ray Hughes are profoundly saddened to announce that at the age of 70, Ray peacefully surrendered his life to the Lord.

 

After being handed the misdiagnosis of two life threatening illnesses, Ray fought with brave perseverance, dignity and strength right to the end, but a cure was not His Will. Left to grieve his daily presence are his devoted wife of 47 years, Marlene; loving son Jeff, both of Fort Augustus and cherished daughter Lacey Hughes (Scott Feaver) of Fort McMurray.  Ray will be missed by brothers John Callaghan (Donna), Mermaid; Leonard Callaghan, Fort Augustus and sister Stella Callaghan of Cornwall; nephews Ryan Callaghan, Chris Callaghan (Sue); nieces Lyndsey Mahnic (Jared), Kaitlin Shaw (Pete); niece and goddaughter Micayla (Josh) Allen and their families.  Ray is remembered with deep love by special family friend, Audrey Wallace and cherished best friends, Derek and Jennifer Matthews. He will be dearly missed by sisters-in-law Thelma Kelly (Merlin), Avila Taverner, Gladys Curley and many dear nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews by marriage, all of whom shared a special place in Ray’s heart, along with his PEI grandnephews Cohen MacMillan, Mason Ferguson and grandniece Rayann Ferguson, whom he loved to endlessly tease, which usually resulted in getting them into trouble. Also survived by his aunt Shirley McManus (McGuirk), uncle Gordon McGuirk (Mary) and aunts by marriage, Mary, Florence and Rita McGuirk. Predeceased by his loving parents Christina (Tena) and Raymond Hughes Sr., parents-in-law Seymour and Blanche Hughes, sister-in-law Elinor Mahood (Thomas) and brothers-in-law Edward Hughes, Eugene Curley, and Gordon Taverner.

 

Ray’s family would like to thank the staff of QEH ER on December 23, 2022 and in particular Dr. Stuart MacKinnon, who instantly took appropriate measures to properly diagnose Ray. Profound thanks goes out to staff on Unit 2 where Ray spent a month, especially Dr. Jane Hennessey and Dr. Joselyn Petersen, Hospitalists, who helped to restore our faith and did everything in their power to get all tests required in a timely manner; to Staff of Unit 1 where Ray received excellent care, the nurses too numerous to mention and in particular, the PCW’s Jamie Thomson, Steve Durden and John Prentice who made Ray’s 5 month stay as comfortable as possible with humor, dignity and sincere compassion; to the excellent physio team who worked diligently with Ray to maintain his strength; to Dr. Spitzack and Dr. Rasimas for their dedication; to Dr. Pierre Whitlock and his team of Oncology Hospitalists, along with all the staff at The Cancer Treatment Center who did their utmost to facilitate a positive outcome and last, but certainly not least, the kind and caring Staff at the Palliative Care Center, Charlottetown who are second to none when it comes to caring for their patients and families. A special thank you to Dr. Mireille Lecours, Dr. Janet Baker and other covering physicians, along with Acting Manager, Blanche and Occupational Therapist, Jess who took the time to treat the whole patient and do their best to make their palliative journey meaningful, sharing many laughs along the way. Enough cannot be conveyed and shared about the excellent care Ray and all the family received while in their presence. This facility is truly a blessing. We would also like to thank everyone, over the past seven months for your visits, prayers, positive and kind well wishes, telephone calls, cards, notes, texts, monetary gifts, donations of food, etc. to all the family during this most difficult journey. To Father Danny Wilson, Father Lyndon Hogan and Father Augustine for your support, blessings and prayers. The kindness and compassion from everyone will never be forgotten. A special thank you to The Hillsboro Funeral Home for their kind, compassionate and professional care to family and our loved one.

 

Resting at Hillsboro Funeral Home from where visiting hours will be held Wednesday, August 2, 2023 from 5-8 pm.  A funeral Mass will be celebrated from St. Patrick's Church, Fort Augustus PEI on Thursday at 11:00 am.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made online to an organization dear to Ray’s heart called “One Broken Biker”. It is a Canadian organization that is expanding its chapters all across Canada to help injured bikers. Three criteria needed to meet, you must be Canadian, the accident has to be within 6 months of application and it cannot be an off road accident. Our son Jeff received a generous donation from this organization four years ago when he put his bike down and broke his leg while out in Edmonton. To donate in Ray’s memory, one can go to https://www.onebrokenbiker.org/donate-here

 

In times of great sickness and loss, one truly comprehends, welcomes and values the love and support of faith, family and friends.