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Hugh was born on Mothers Day, May 9th 1926. His early years in Sandy Lake, Northern Saskatchewan, were filled with days of exploring the wilderness. There was no school, so at the age of 10, Hugh was sent to live at Nesbitt Home for boys, in Prince Albert, to attend elementary school. After completing high school in Saskatoon in 1944, Hugh enlisted in the R.C.N.V.R. and trained in Navy radar and communications.

It was while attending U.N.B and studying forestry, Hugh met, and then married, the love of his life, Mavis Pinder on Sept. 17th 1949. Hugh’s forestry career took them from the wilds of Northern Ontario camp life, to New Zealand, Saskatchewan, and in 1966 to Quesnel with their 4 children. Quesnel life was a perfect match for the couple. Besides fishing and hunting, Hugh enjoyed biking, curling, snowshoeing and running marathons. His vegetable garden was the envy of the neighbourhood. Hugh’s sweet tenor voice enhanced many a singing group.

After retiring from Weldwood in 1985, Hugh, always an outdoorsman became an avid x-country skier and trail builder for the Cariboo Ski Touring Club. He and Mavis were awarded a lifetime Membership in 2008 in recognition for their contribution to x-country skiing in Quesnel.

For several summers, Hugh gave ‘Forestry at Work’ tours in the Quesnel and Williams Lake areas. Hugh was passionate about forestry, and was a member of Share BC. In 1995, the Registered Professional Foresters Association awarded him a life membership for his “substantial contributions to forestry practices in BC”.

Hugh gave back to the community he loved so much in many different ways. He and Mavis thoroughly enjoyed being hosts for the 2000 BC Winter Games. Hugh helped many veterans and their families in his capacity as Service Officer for the Legion, whether it was in the Honour Guard, or raising money for the Poppy Fund. He also began a support group for those living with prostate cancer.

Hugh and Mavis have been members of St. John the Divine Anglican Church since moving to Quesnel. Hugh was a deeply spiritual man, with a kind and gentle soul. Hugh passed away on May 21st 2012, surrounded by his family.

He will be greatly missed by his loving wife Mavis, his sons Arthur, and Eric, and his daughters Enid (Eugene Kelly), Nancy McCurrach (Ray), his grandchildren; Tennyson, Maximilian, Katrina, Monica, Jackie, Bill, Emma, Tara McInnes (Mathew), great grand children Tyler and Madison and his sister and lifelong friend Kathleen Campbell.

Thank you Dr. Heléna Smith for your caring compassion over the years, also, to the staff of Baker Memorial Hospital, and the staff of Quesnel Hospice.

Services will be held at St. John the Divine at 1:00 Wednesday May 30th. A donation to the charity of your choice in lieu of flowers, in Hugh’s name, would be greatly appreciated.