Obituary of Hugh Duplisea

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Hugh Duplisea on December 8, 2022. Born in 1937 in Holderville, New Brunswick, he was the son of the late Lorne and Margaret (Henderson) Duplisea.

Hugh grew up in Fredericton and graduated from Fredericton High School in 1955. He earned his Political Science degree from Brigham Young University followed by a Master’s Degree and BEd from UNB. Hugh began his career in education as a high school teacher in Perth Andover and Fredericton. He spent most of his career with the Department of Education in the Program Development and Implementation Branch, and later worked as Assistant Superintendent for school Districts 26 and 27 and then District 18 prior to retirement.

Hugh was active in a number of organizations including the Canadian Journal of History and Social Sciences, the Micmac-Maliseet Institute of the University of New Brunswick, and the Terry Fox Canadian Youth Centre. He was on the board of directors of the Canadian Association for the Social Studies, the Interchange on Canadian Studies, and on the Council for Canadian Unity. Hugh was instrumental in improving and implementing mandatory teaching of the Holocaust across New Brunswick schools.

He volunteered for many organizations, including the Fredericton Basketball and Hockey Associations, was a member of the executive for UNICEF New Brunswick and served on the executive of Fredericton’s Golden Club.

Hugh enjoyed travelling, golfing, reading, doing family history and spending time with his family. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serving in many capacities, including as a volunteer missionary in Tahiti from 1956-1958. 

His family will cherish their memories out at their cottage at Lake George and their multi-day canoe trips along the St. John River. His playful, outgoing, good humoured nature will be missed by family and friends.

Surviving is his wife, Roxanne (Sears); son, Mark (Maria); daughters, Heather Bruce, Leigh-Ann Scott (John); grandchildren, Erin, Kevin (Savanna), Michael (Amanda), Max, Amelia, Hannah, Ben, Alienna, and Stephen; great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Lucy, Jane and Emeric; brothers, Ron (Carmel), Philip (Terry); sister, Peggy Hatfield (Denny), many cousins, nieces and nephews. Hugh is also survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Sherrille (Stewart) Webber.

Visitation will be Sunday, December 11 from 1-4 pm at McAdam's Funeral Home, Fredericton. A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 12 at 11 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 986 Smythe Street, followed by a reception. Burial will take place at the Long Reach United Church. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to Hospice Fredericton.