A MUCH-LOVED former Bahrain-based businessman and founder of a prominent publishing house in the kingdom has passed away in the UK after a long and courageous battle with throat cancer.
John Hughes, a 78-year-old British grandfather-of-five, retired to Southampton in October 2020 along with his wife, Nanette, to be closer to his family. He died on July 14 at Countess Mountbatten Hospice surrounded by loved ones.
The facility is dedicated to providing a range of care and support for people with life-limiting conditions.
“Nanette and I are still in shock,” said his sister-in-law Roberta Jones, who is currently in the UK but lives in Amwaj Islands, and is the personal assistant to the president of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Bahrain.
“It just feels like it can’t be true. We always thought that if anyone was invincible, then it would be John. Nanette is understandably heartbroken. They had such an intense loving relationship as they were so close and inseparable.
She never left his side. We are actually a very close family, so very close, so it is also tough for all of us.”
He moved to the kingdom in 1969 and she followed in 1971 with Roberta and their parents. They became family friends and romance between John and Nanette later blossomed.
During charismatic John’s time on the island he wore many hats both in the community and in business.
He was chairman of the British Club for eight years, took the role of vice chairman too, and sat on numerous committees. He was also one of the founding members of the Bahrain National Relay and the Chieftain of the Caledonian Society.
A born entrepreneur, he was involved in many successful business ventures including a rental car enterprise and was the founder of Nans Group, a direct marketing, advertising and digital media company, which currently features three popular magazines, Fact, Ohlala and Hadag.
His health challenges started in 2001. At the age of 56 he was diagnosed in Bahrain with throat cancer and he returned to the UK for treatment.
The prognosis was not positive as the cancer can prove to be aggressive if it has spread to the lymph nodes.
“They said they couldn’t do anymore for him and he discharged himself,” revealed Ms Jones. “He was wheelchair-bound, couldn’t move his head or drive but was determined to go back to Bahrain and he did.
“At this time, his son, Greg, would take him back-and-forth to work and remarkably, John gradually got better. He ended up driving again and everything – his recovery was amazing.”
Unfortunately, the tumour returned last April.
“His health had been suffering for around six months before his diagnosis,” said Ms Jones who had travelled to visit the family during Eid and ended up staying after the severity of his illness came to light. “He underwent two sessions of chemotherapy and we were told he would have a few months … and it was just a few months.”
He is survived by his daughter Lorna, 50, from his first marriage, and his two children with Nanette – Greg, 41, who lives in London, and Georgia, 38. He also had a son, Paul, who tragically died at the age of 19 after a hit-and-run accident in Spain.
“We have been receiving messages from people we haven’t heard from in years; people from everywhere have been reaching out as he had many connections with people in the community and business,” added Ms Jones, on behalf of Nanette who has been too upset to talk.
“Greg and I will print all the messages that we have received at some point for Nanette to read when she is ready.
“People keep texting me about John, describing him as ‘unique, one-of-a-kind, very generous, an inspiration and a blessing to all of us’. He changed all of our lives for the better. He was a very funny man, cheeky and amazing.”
The funeral will take place on Thursday in Southampton where many of Nanette’s family live, including their daughter, Georgia.
According to Ms Jones, publisher and managing director of the magazine group, Rami Khalil, will be travelling from Bahrain to also attend the service.
“John was a huge part of island life for many years, both as a businessman and as a friend to many,” said Mr Khalil. “As the founder of Nans Group, he was a mentor to me and taught me a lot both in business and personally, for which I will always be immensely grateful. I thought of him as family and I, and all who knew him, will miss him.”
Those who wish to send flowers, or pass on their condolences or find out about donations to any charities and good causes in his name, may email Greg on itsghughes@gmail.com for more information.
mai@gdnmedia.bh
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