One of many children, Hugh always tried his best for his family. His devotion to his step-sister Lily and his support for the family when both parents had passed away was always loyal, and unwavering. He joined the local boxing club and managed to stay out of a lot of trouble - not a bad feat considering the troubles in Belfast in those days! Joining the army took him to Cyprus - a place he loved and one in which he and his wife Betty spent a glorious year of retirement in before returning to the UK. Ask mum about the many adventures they had there - especially about dad saying morning to the older inhabitants of the village! Always gregarious, dad soon learned whom not to greet!!! Once he met my mother, it was love at first sight. Mum was already engaged to a doctor, no less, and was busy being a nurse herself. Wow, dad must have really swept her off her feet! Six weeks later they were married, and managed to last almost 51 years. Life was hard - mum had to sell her engagement ring in those early days, but love kept them alive. Good friends were plentiful, and both worked hard. They tried and tried for a babby, and eventually on 1st September 1965 their Deirdre was born. Despite being a royal pain, they lovingly created Deirdre's gorgeous baby sister, Donna, born to loving, adoring parents and a servant sister on 6th April 1968.