Obituary: Joe Hughes

November 26, 2015

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HSS mourns the death of Joe Hughes

Joe was a lively and idiosyncratic Humanist Celebrant when I first met him about 15 years ago.

Joe Hughes had his own style of doing things. In fact he tried his best to keep all forms of new technology at arms length. My recollection is that all his scripts were handwritten, and that he indeed memorised parts as well.

Having said all that, it was crystal clear that he was superb at delivering celebrations of people’s lives. Funeral Directors would enquire whether the bereaved would like a Humanist Ceremony; in and around Johnstone the answer frequently was ‘no’ instead they made it clear that what they were after was a ‘Joe Hughes’ Ceremony!

We used to meet at Celebrant Gatherings when I always found Joe to be a convivial companion and colleague. He enjoyed a ‘wee refreshment’ and so was always up for some craic in the bar afterwards.

In 2005 when we were at last authorised by the Registrar General to conduct legal marriages Joe was one of the original 12 Celebrants.

His passing is sad for us all and our thoughts are with his family.

By Ivan Middleton, HSS Celebrant