Friends, family and well-wishers will be gathering tomorrow to pay their respects and remember the illustrious life of British community member Tony Hughes.
Mr Hughes, 66, died last week on June 10 of heart failure in the comfort of his home in Umm Al Hassam surrounded by family and loved ones.
His funeral will be held tomorrow at the St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manama. Condolences will be accepted during a gathering at 3pm tomorrow at the British Club.
“Tony and I have been married for 23 years, and he will be sorely missed here,” Mr Hughes’ wife Monick Advincula, 53, told the GDN. “He had not been well for the past week and spent some time in the Intensive Care Unit. When his health began deteriorating, he wanted to be home surrounded by his family.”
Born on March 27, 1960, in Skipton, Yorkshire, Mr Hughes grew up in the UK before joining the British Armed Forces, where he served for 28 years.
Tony worked and lived in the Middle East for 30 years as part of and beyond his work with the British Military Mission.
“Tony was a very strong character but at the same time, unafraid of showing his feelings,” Manama Theatre Club (MTC) chairperson and long-time friend Hannah Turner added.
“He was always supportive and would help out with any sets that we might need or offer to assist whatever the call.
“When we staged one show he left during my monologue, telling me later that he got extremely emotional and overwhelmed. He said: ‘I know you’re acting but I couldn’t see you upset like that’.
“Beyond that, I will always associate him with welcoming people at the British Club with arms open and a big smile. He spoke his mind and always had good fun.
“He was very proud of his family and completely and utterly in love with Monick.”
Mr Hughes and Ms Advincula
Mr Hughes met Ms Advincula at a curry restaurant in Watford, UK, during one of her business trips abroad in the late 1990s – a date that would bring him to Bahrain.
When he was reassigned to Saudi Arabia to work for a top royal, he would often take the King Fahd Causeway to come see Ms Advincula and her family, who have been living in Bahrain for more than 50 years.
A younger Mr Hughes, right, with his late mother-in-law Solina Advincula
“Tony was a soldier, fighter and a man of conviction, but also had a soft heart – supporting many charities including the Bahrain Cancer Society and community initiatives within the British Club,” Ms Advincula added.
“He also loved singing Elvis songs, dancing and having a good time. He was a rugby man and also loved banger racing, classic cars and building robots.
“Tony was a man with a pure heart yet a tough soul. I will always love him and admire him for the many lives he touched in his own unique way and I will continue his legacy and charitable works in Bahrain.
“Fly high my love, heaven have opened its door to another angel.”
naman@gdnmedia.bh
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