The funeral took place on October 3, 2003 of Philip Hughes, described by friends and colleagues as “one of the most popular and respected personalities in the woodworking industry”.
Mr Hughes died after a “typically staunch and courageously long battle” against a debilitating illness.
He is survived by his wife Anne and son Philip.
The funeral service was attended by a large number of people from around the world, including close friends and colleagues from the industry who acknowledged the help and advice which Mr Hughes gave over the years.
He joined Interwood Ltd as a boy and, apart from several years when he attended the University of Berlin and travelled the world, he spent all his working life with the Hornchurch-based machinery manufacturer and supplier.
As sales manager of the Artisan Concept Division of Interwood, Mr Hughes successfully established and ran the UK dealer network, forging many lasting friendships with overseas suppliers, UK dealers and customers.
“Honesty, integrity, good humour, charity and above all loyalty, Phil Hughes had it all,” said Paul Tipler, sales manager of Koch UK and a former colleague of Mr Hughes. “He will be sadly missed by many.”
