Requiem Mass for The Honourable Thomas Eyre Forrest Hughes AO KC (OR1940)
Wednesday, 18 December 2024

Representatives of the OIU, including James Rodgers OR1971 and Daniel Bolger OR1980 joined a phalanx of distinguished lawyers, current and former politicians, family and friends at St. Mary Magdalene Church Rose Bay this week to celebrate the life of our oldest member, who passed away two days after his 100th birthday. 

Fr Richard Leonard SJ concelebrated Mass with Monsignor Tony Doherty (OR1950). Lucy Turnbull delivered an eloquent tribute to her amazing father, noting he was the last of his siblings to pass, being preceded by his younger siblings Robert (OR1955) and Geoffrey (OR1945) There were a couple of lovely anecdotes the share. Tom loved Sydney harbour, described by Robert as "the amniotic fluid in his memory". 

Lucy noted that whether it was on their farm at Crookwell burning piles of dead timber, or working on a brief in his Chambers, Tom did everything with "enthusiasm and vigour". "Having the power not to dwell on the past was a big part of his personality and how he approached his life and work. That capacity to move on was inspiring. For me, it's a great life lesson, and something we should strive for living in the present."  

Finally, Lucy paid tribute to Fr. Emmet Costello SJ, who, upon reading a profile in the Sydney Morning Herald, wrote a long letter to Tom outlining why he should not abandon his faith. It was this intervention, and subsequent lunch meetings, that persuaded Tom to reengage with the Church. Thomas Eyre Forrest Hughes AO KC (OR1940) had a distinguished legal mind, a politician, a farmer and above all family man, loved and respected by all. 

 The Old Ignatians' Union sends deepest sympathy to the Hughes family at this time.