Camlough mourns the passing of 'true gentleman' and 'popular businessman' Jim Hughes

The news of Jim’s death on social media has been met by many people from the village and wider community sending their condolences to the family, and amongst the tributes he was remembered for his ‘kindness and humbleness’.

Jim passed peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family, and will be laid to rest tomorrow (Tuesday) morning at St Malachy’s Church in Camlough.

Jim played a huge role in the Camlough community, including his sponsorship of local GAA club Carrickcruppen, and they remembered him with a post on social media which read: ‘The Carrickcruppen GAA community share in the sadness of all in the Camlough, Bessbrook and South Armagh area who have been touched by the news of the passing of our dear friend and Main Club Sponsor, Jim Hughes’.

‘With Jim’s passing, the Camlough and Bessbrook community has lost one of its most respected and most influential citizens. Over many decades Jim’s friendly manner, his industrious nature and his spirit of enterprise made him central to the commercial and social life not only of Camlough but of the wider South Armagh area. Together with his wife Noreen and later with his sons and daughters, Jim took the lead in the development of the village of Camlough, providing not only a model Food Hall but providing other amenities and commercial premises. Jim and his family have provided employment and meeting places for all of our citizens.

‘Whilst building an extensive and successful family business, Jim was ever faithful to and of mindful of the community into which he was born. Jim and his whole family have a lengthy association with our Carrickcruppen club. The Hughes Family have been Carrickcruppen’s leading Sponsors for many years. Jim and his family have also made a huge contribution to our development and success through their active participation in the club activities. Indeed such is the extent of the Hughes family’s involvement with Carrickcruppen GAA, that it would be almost impossible to trace all of the past contributions of Jim’s immediate and wider family circle.

‘Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam agus suaimhneas go síoraí aige’.