Bevan –
Hugh Wright Bevan passed away peacefully in Brooks at the age of 99 on Sunday, January 12th, 2025. Hugh Bevan was born July 07th, 1925 to Albert and Elizabeth Bevan in Druid, Saskatchewan. Hugh was the third of four children and spent his childhood years helping on the family grain farm. At the age of 17, Hugh left the farm to attend the University of Saskatchewan. As with most, those years were marked by tight finances, instilling an individual attitude of work hard, enjoy life and take nothing for granted. After graduating from university, Hugh enlisted in the army. He completed his basic training in Vernon, B.C. when the war ended in September, 1945. After a brief enlistment, he articled in Saskatoon and completed his Chartered Accounting designation. During that time he met a beautiful young lady named Shirley Laughren from Stranraer, Saskatchewan. They were married August 15th, 1948. After their marriage, they lived in Saskatoon while Hugh completed his Chartered Accounting designation. From there they moved to Rosetown where Hugh and Shirley worked before venturing west to set down roots. While B.C was the first choice, Hugh was invited to stop in Brooks to visit a small firm called Fingerson and Co., as they were looking for an accountant. He decided to give it a try and two years later, in 1950, Hugh took over the firm which started Bevan and Co. From that time until his retirement in 2010, (85 years of age!), he took a proactive role with his clients and went above and beyond to help them succeed in their own ventures. ‘My clients are my friends and I will miss them dearly.’ In no time, Hugh and Shirley became a part of the Brooks and County of Newell Community. Hugh was generous with his time and proud of his prairie community. His experiences were endless. He earned his pilot license and was an active member of the Brooks Flying Club for many years. Hugh enjoyed being a member of the Brooks Kinsmen Club and the Kiwanis Club of Brooks. Hugh was also a boy scout leader and volunteered with the United Church Summer camp to help cook and take the young campers fishing. Hugh was raised in a musical family and loved to sing. He continued his music with the Barbershop Quartet and Chorus and also sang with the United Church Choir for many years. Hugh was also an original member of the Newell Overture Concert Association, which brought a variety of entertainment to the area. Hugh enjoyed his yearly fishing trips with his buddies and shared his love of fishing with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed many sports. He often reminisced about playing goalie on the outdoor rink in Druid and playing basketball between classes at university. He was a loyal supporter of ‘The Calgary Stampeders’ and was a season ticket holder for many years. Family gatherings often took place around a Stampeder football game or a Calgary Flames Game. Hugh and Shirley adopted four children Tim (Doreen), Julie (Gail), Jody (Norine) and Marnie (Terry). He was their greatest cheerleader through all facets of their lives including sports, schooling, business and marriages. Hugh and Shirley resided on their acreage which is known today as Lakewood. As well, he built one of the first cabins at Lake Newell in the early 1950’s where the family spent the entire summer from school’s end in June to summer’s end in August with friends and family creating countless memories. In 1972, Hugh and Shirley took the family to Hawaii. That trip turned into 40 plus years of glorious, extended stays. They loved to have their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren visit and cherish the experience of Hawaii with them. Hugh believed in order to live a full life, it should be experienced in every way possible and to try to improve the lives of all those around him. Hugh was predeceased by his wife Shirley (2010), daughter Julie (2023), brother Reese, his wife Jeanne, sister Elizabeth and her husband Jack, and his sister-in-law Dawn (2024) (Arthur) Bevan. Hugh is survived by his remaining children and their spouses, Tim (Doreen) Bevan and Marnie (Terry) Troidl, Gail Morris, his grandchildren Christa (Mike) Schaupmeyer and Heather (Jean-Denis) Fournier, Tyler (Katie) Troidl, Cody Troidl and Carson Troidl as well as his great grandchildren, Katie Schaupmeyer, Adam Schaupmeyer, Marek Fournier and Damen Fournier. He is also survived by his son Jody (Noreen) Bevan and their three children, Adam, Aaron and Raina. To honor his wishes for a Family Ceremony there will be a Private Reflection on Friday, January 24th, 2025 at 2:30 PM followed by a committal of his ashes at the Brooks Cemetery. Rev. Esther Crews officiating. Live Streaming of the Funeral Services is scheduled to be available to the public. You can view the Funeral Service by clicking on “Live Video” on the top right-hand side of Smith Funeral Home’s Website or clicking on the “Click Here” in blue letters, just below recent obituaries. Streaming is scheduled to start approximately 10 – 15 minutes prior to services. In lieu of flowers donations may be made directly to Communities in Bloom – Commemorative Forest, Box 252, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1B4 or The Brooks Health Foundation 440 – 3 Street East, Brooks, Alberta T1R 1B3. The family would like to give a heartfelt thankyou to Dr. Eric Vanderlinde, Dr. Maarten Coetzee and Kaitlyn Marshall R.N. for their wonderful care. As well, a special thank you to the staff of Orchard Manor and Sunrise Gardens for all of the care and compassion over the years.
Cremation is entrusted to and conducted at
Smith Funeral Home Ltd., Brooks
Funeral arrangements entrusted to:
SMITH FUNERAL HOME LTD.
BROOKS, ALBERTA
Condolences may be forwarded through www.sfh.ca
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