Jason Hughes (25 Jun 1985 - 2 Mar 2024)

I am deeply saddened to have just heared about Jason's passing. I regret that I only learned about it today and couldn't have been got to his funeral to pay my respects. During our time together at university I knew him as the Colonel and have lots of wonderful memories of him. I remember meeting him and thinking I had never met anyone like him before.

Will always miss you Jason

I thought of you with love today
but that is nothing new
I thought about you yesterday
and days before that too,
I think of you in silence
I often speak your name,
All I have are memories
and your picture in a frame
Your memory is my keepsake
with which I’ll never part
God has you in his keeping
I have you in my heart.

Be good up there x

The last ten years have been some of the happiest of my life
You were always by my side, my biggest cheerleader , constantly building me up.. you made me a better person. Never afraid to gently point out my faults…. I was never happier then with you
In may 2013 I’d had my wonderful fortieth. Surrounded by my family and friends I was content. I’d moved to kingston a couple of years before with mum helping me make my house my home, and I truly felt that if I could feel like this for the rest of my life I was happy.
I wasn’t seeking a partner.. I’d had a pretty full life up to then…and I was content
I genuinely liked my own company, had a wonderful social life.. I didn’t have any gaps to fill..
But then a few months later I met this cocky bloke at an industry drinks who when i politely enquired had we met before (as g4s were a client through an agency) he answered fairly shortly ‘no I don’t think so’ in only the way Jason could
Then followed a few more drinks, a cheeky snog on the terrace as we overlooked St Paul’s.. apparently I was leading him on as I mentioned it reminded me of Florence.
We woke up the next morning laughing… and then over the next few weeks it became clear that my one night stand with a cocky 28 year old was a lot more…
I quickly met his mum who I quickly got a sense of just how close they were to the point there was not really a discussion about where the three of us would spend Christmas. A key followed quickly, then his dad was moving his stuff from Sutton to kingston a few months later..
It was clear from the start this was forever. We just fit together. I mentioned I’d seen a poster on the tube that otters also held hands while they slept…. We became the otters.
We met each others friends and everyone could see how happy we made each other.. and our wedding day was the happiest day of my life. We loved our holidays to Gran Canaria, Wales, the Cotswolds, Not flash, just otters…. We loved our times together I this pub, talking, laughing.. but most of all we loved spending time in our home. Couch each, watching tally or chatting - usually both at one time much to my continued annoyance …. He knew the most random stuff…which he found impossible not to share constantly.
Despite him recovering from a serious leg injury and infection during lockdown we were pretty happy in our little bubble.. and getting Jasper made our little family complete.
I am truly grateful for the ten years we had..and you are part of me forever

Tennyson put it better than I ever could:
I hold it true, whate’er befall
I feel it, when I sorrow most,
Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all

Bloody love you Hughsie

I love you ❤️ Mum xxxx

My Jasey Jase, the funniest person I have ever met. I have never known anyone like you, and no one has ever made me laugh like you. So many private jokes between the two of us, that no one else will ever get. I am still in shock and I’m sorry I am not giving you the tribute you deserve. My love to your family.
Your Bassy x

From Penny's girls in NZ. We first met Jason at the Anderson's Christmas Eve BBQ in the backyard, which was tradition when Penny was back in the Hutt.

We didn't know Jason but we thought he must have been a good guy because Penny had chosen him. We thought he must have exceptional taste because he chose our gorgeous friend.

I'm sure he was very nervous,  meeting Pen's parents for the first time, then in we bowl - The Kiwi contingent. We reckon Pen must have given Jason a handbook to study on the plane on what to expect, all our names, our husband's and kids names, how we all knew each other.

Penny's our girl and he had to impress us! Jason took it all in his stride and seemed at ease with our loud and over the top behavior.

Jason was very attentive to Pen,
He put in the time with the future in laws tending the BBQ with Chris, making sure everyone was looked after. He wasn't the guest, he was the one hosting. We loved Jason's unique stiff upper lip, he was a quintessential British character. 
It seemed they had been a couple for so much longer.

Christmas Eve turned into New Years Eve another tradition, we were all in again. Off to Wellington for dinner, alot of laughs, music and fireworks.

After all that, he came back for more! With his mum Sheila. Another Christmas eve BBQ and NYE in Wellys. Some road tripping around NZ. More good times.

We all wished we could have been Penny and Jason's wedding. It looked like such a lovely day, the photos were stunning. Such happiness and so posh.

Although we have not all been in each other's company for years Jason has supported our friend through some pretty tough times over the last year and that extended to Arran after he lost his wife, our  friend Jodie. Jason was an ear on the other end of the phone whenever Arran called, whatever state he was in. We will always be thankful to  Jason for that.

To Penny, Sheila and Jason's family, we will rejoice in having known him and regret in the time not shared.

What a true gentleman Jason was. As part of Sally and Tim’s family we all called him DC Junior and I remember many amusing times and conversations. He was a great listener, always gracious and had a lovely sense of humour.

Jason was utterly charming, kind and one of life’s good people. I’m so sorry he’s no longer here. My deepest condolences

My son Alisdair, husband and I have wonderful memories of Jason and his wonderful eccentric ways as young boy.love to Sheila and Oli

Rest in Peace Jason

Our thoughts and prayers are with Penny and all of Jason’s family x

Jason was one of life's true characters. Deom the moment I met him in 2006 when I was on the interview panel for him to be our political researcher at Sutton Council you could tell there was something different and special about him. He had a presence which nobody could ignore
He was also a true Gentleman and I mean that in both contexts. He acted like one and was a true Gentle soul. That raising of his eyebrow or cheeky laugh will remain with me and sally forever. My children christened him "young David Cameron"or young DC for short. They loved him as we all did.
I would like to think that today Jason is looking down on us dressed up to the nines hopefully chuckling about the stories we will inevitably be telling about our times together with him.
He would also be shouting to us all
"Carpe Diem" just as he would want.
Farewell my friend.

Thinking of you Pen at this sad time, all our love Zoe Fred and Megan

I will always remember Jason as a very funny, kind young man. He loved the cut and thrust of debating anything and everything and he never minded which side of the argument he took. He normally won!

With love to Penny and family xx

Richard & Barry xxxx

Probably one of the wittiest people I had the pleasure of knowing. He and Penny spent time with me when my wife died. She loved Jason too. I've lost both of them.

Jason and I worked together at the Magistrates’ Association for a few years. We disagreed politically most of the time, and enjoyed doing so (and I had to admit that we shared a love of heraldry). He was gentlemanly to a fault, witty to a tee, fun to be around, and a man who will be sorely missed.

With my love Penny.