By Doug Draper
The last time I saw Alun Hughes was a year ago this spring at the opening ceremonies for the War of 1812 Bicentennial in Queenston Heights Park.
Alun Hughes, a passionate chronicler of our greater Niagara region’s history
He had already been diagnosed with a rapidly debilitating neurological disorder, yet it was no surprise that he was there, soaking in all of the bows to our collective history the event had to offer with that twinkle in his eyes and a smile.
Alun Hughes, a native of Wales and retired Brock University geography professor who was recognized as an honourary civic historian by the municipal council in his adopted town of Thorold, Ontario as recently as this February, died this Friday, May 10 with his wife Joyce Little and other members of his family at his side.
Alun, who also recently received a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medial for his many contributions to chronicling the history of this region, was a consummate citizen – passionately engaged in our community in ways that inspired others to become similarly involved. A meticulous researcher, he has left us a treasure trove of written works that make an invaluable contribution to the knowledge and understanding of our common heritage.
Unfortunately, there are far too few people with the intelligence or will to carry on this important work. He shall be missed.
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Niagara At Large 
A wonderful and bright man! We will miss him terribly. http://www.movingthoroldforward.com
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Thank you for this story, Doug. Alun brought humour to our history which left me wishing he had been my history teacher ! We will all miss him.
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I certainly agree wholeheartedly with Pam and Becky. We all learned so much from Alun with his fount of knowledge about not just Thorold, but embracing the whole of Niagara. I also learned Welsh from Alun and teachers from Wales. Alun was forefront in bringing the welsh courses , Cwrs Cymraeg, to North America. They continue today. I informed some Welsh compatriates from these courses as soon as I heard of his death, and to my amazement, the word had already started to trickle out over in Wales. He was much valued. Alun gave so much of himself to so many of us, and always with good humour.
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I wish that I had known about this man, as we share many things in common, I too was born in Wales and interested in the same things that I love. I am sorry to read that he passed away.
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Alun’s loss will be felt keenly by the cultural heritage community. RIP
(Sarah King Head on behalf of the Friends of Beaverdams Church)
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I had the pleasure of meeting Alun several times at Brock, and was really struck by the depth of interest and passion he had for Niagara history. I also really respected his independent re-assessment and interpretation of local events. Alun never parrotted – he interpreted and revised local histories where appropriate. He was a treasure and will be missed.
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