Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 41, September 1997
Mr Ted Hughes, co-patron with Mr C W Malcolm of the Paeroa Old Pupils' Association, died on 4 April 1997 aged 83 years. Ted was born on 2 April 1914 in Paeroa, one of the six children of the late Stephen Hughes and Ethel Elsa Hughes, nee Leahy. Ted's father was drowned in 1922 and his mother died in 1927. The children were then cared for by their maternal grandmother, Mrs Mary Pitkethley, a noted midwife and nurse. Ted was educated at the Paeroa Convent School and later the Paeroa District High School.
His first job after leaving school in 1929, was as a bread deliverer. He then worked at the Paeroa Butter Factory. On 5 June 1935 he married Gladys Partridge of Inglewood at the Paeroa Post Office by the late John M Craig. Later Ted worked for the Lands & Survey at Whakatane and then Tokoroa before returning to dairy factory work at Tairua. Their four children, Ethel, Charles, Barry and Raewyn were born around this time.
After a number of years living and working in Auckland, Hamilton and Auckland again, Ted and Gladys Hughes returned to Paeroa in 1995, the year they celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary.