Obituary of Ian Patrick Hughes

Born 7 August, 1934 in Johannesburg. Died 18 March, 2018 in Kingston of Cortico-basal Degeneration. South African (5/8 Irish), social justice and anti-war activist, devil’s advocate and absent-minded mathematics professor, Ian was happiest when in deep discussion, preferably while enjoying dark chocolate. Favourite subjects included politics, mathematics and soccer (he was a Liverpool fan). He was at times judgemental, but tried to treat everyone with respect and preferred being criticized to being ignored. Inquisitive, he talked to everyone, intently interested in their lives, sometimes to their discomfort. He loved connecting with people of different backgrounds and cultures, often sharing his home with them. Ian cared deeply about the earth and came to understand how intricately all life forms are connected. He hated wasteful consumerism and every capitalist plot going. Eminently impractical, he had exceptional luck in meeting and marrying Margaret. Perhaps the near blindness Ian experienced from birth gave him an edge when it came to the complex inner thinking needed to practise abstract algebra, but it didn’t isolate him. He taught in Liverpool, Glasgow, Johannesburg, New York City, Penn State, Nairobi and at Queen’s University from 1968 - 2000. His best mathematics was in collaboration and was instrumental in Queen’s University becoming one of the two leading international centres for the study of Modular Invariant Theory. In the 70’s and 80’s he spent 3 years at the University of Nairobi. He wanted to experience life in an independent democratic African country. In Canada he participated in anti-apartheid work and, together with other activists, persuaded Queen’s to divest from companies with investments in South Africa. Ian leaves Margaret, his wife of almost 54 years, children Catherine (June), Mikaela (Lisa) and Daniel (Sandra), grandsons Gavin and Atticus, his beloved “little boys”, and sister Helen (Ned) in Australia. Predeceased by his brothers, Paul and Brendan and daughter-in-law Kay. Great thanks to all Ian’s friends who visited him during his long illness. Especial thanks to Lori Moore who looked after Ian at home with humour and love and the Nursing and PSW staff at Rideaucrest Home for the exceptional care and love they gave to Ian while he was resident there. Ian wanted to experience to the full every ounce of life he was given. He died peacefully, a single tear on his cheek. The Hughes family welcome donations to Medicines Sans Frontieres, Democracy Now! and Help Lesotho. A Celebration of Ian’s life will be held at the Cataraqui Conservation Area Outdoor Centre, 1641 Perth Rd., Glenburnie on Monday April 9th at 1 p.m. All welcome. No flowers by request. Arrangements entrusted to CATARAQUI CEMETERY AND FUNERAL SERVICES.