Hugh Hanson Davidson

Hugh was my friend. And I, his.

We both moved to Cambridge St. in late 1988, and quickly developed a great mutual affection that never faltered.

In the next decade, over afternoon tea (or, later, over other beverage), we made sure all was correct with the world. During this time, we would come to trust each other implicitly, and to foster a great fondness for each other that will endure, long after Hugh’s passing.

I am so grateful that, after Hugh’s discharge from the Jubilee in the late spring, we were able to have a day together. Hugh met me at the Victoria bus station (I’m afraid he walked from Cook St.) and together we walked (slowly, with breaks, arm-in-arm) to Zambri’s, where we enjoyed a splendid lunch. Then, a taxi back to Hugh’s, where he spoke of upcoming projects – notably the Britten War Requiem, to be performed in November. I told him I wanted to come.

Now, the tickets are arranged.

That day is engraved on my memory. When we left each other at his door, even though we had no idea that it was to be our last meeting, we did as we always did, pledging our ongoing commitment to each other by saying, ‘Always, always’.

Always, always, Hugh.

Dearest Hugh – you have been my staunch and true friend for over four decades. We’ve opened our homes to each on Cathcart Square in Ottawa (and other ones I’ve had here), Vancouver and Victoria, Wellington New Zealand and Adelaide South Australia. We shared food and wine together and with friends in far flung places, visits to film festivals, concerts and art galleries, and the most wonderful times at your cottage in Davidson. I cannot believe I shall never again hear your vibrant laugh and your humming music, or benefit from your wise view of the world. You have nurtured and sheltered so many of us and enriched our lives. Kua hinga te totara i te wao nui a Taane – you are a mighty totara tree who has fallen in Tane’s forest. Now there is a huge Hugh hole in our collective forests of memories, and indeed in all our hearts. God keep you close, my friend, and thank you for all you have shared. May we meet again in another world. God bless!

Tom introduced me to Hugh some time after he moved to Victoria. He welcomed us into his home and his heart on many occasions and was always very kind and generous. We miss his gentle spirit.

I have had the pleasure of knowing Hugh since the time I joined The Dance Centre and was immediately inspired by his passion for the arts, commitment to the cause – a home for dance, today known as Scotiabank Dance Centre. His brilliant mind, a keen sense of humour inspired me, all of us, at times that were frequently challenging. It was a pleasure to see his joy each time he visited and saw how the community has embraced this magnificent facility, Canada’s flagship dance facility, and to what great use the dance and arts community in general put it to use over the years. He shall be greatly missed by all. On a personal note I will miss his generous spirit which always served as an inspiration throughout and the brilliant mind he was. From all of us here at The Dance Centre, our heartfelt condolences to the family.

Joanne Bryan, Michael and Vashti Waterhouse wish to say how sorry we were to hear of Hugh’s passing. We first met years ago when he came to Australia to see our mutual friend, Donald Harvie. We always hound Hugh to be charming and affable, the perfect gentleman, warm and generous besides. We know he will be sorely missed in the world of music, theatre and ballet and by his extended family and wide circle of friends. Our thoughts and sympathies are with you at this time
Best Wishes, Joanne, Michael and Vashti

Hugh was a colleague for many years at the Canada Council and it was impossible not to be affected by his enormous enthusiasm for music and the arts.

He was a charming, affable fellow with a great sense of humour, whom we loved to tease. When he left for England to work at the Canadian embassy, the Dance and Music sections created a skit as a farewell event that had Hugh presenting his credentials to the Queen. The script included an adaptation of “Malborough s’en va-t-en guerre” and the cast featured colleagues from many sections at the Council. It was a measure of the affection we all felt for him that so many showed up to rehearse, perform and wish him well.

I too am sorry to have lost touch with him over the years. I send condolences to all the family on his loss.

We were deeply saddened to hear of Hugh’s passing. He was a very dear and caring man in all facets of his life. To my mother Patricia, she remembers many happy summers with Hugh at the cottage in Davidson. My father Roger specially valued Hugh for his mentorship and wise advice, to say nothing of his shocking wit. Hugh was tremendously supportive and encouraging to me in my journey though life. He always made me feel cherished and valued. He will be sadly missed by many.

I will miss Hugh. He was a Champion, in the best sense of the word: a champion of setting the right tone, of doing things properly, of treating people kindly, of honouring a person’s uniqueness, a Champion of talent and integrity. He was refined and knowledgable (and would not hesitate to offer his opinion!) and a huge musical and literary and artistic resource. He was kind, and thoughtful, often in ways that escaped public attention. He lived his life passionately. I remember him for his support and kindness in difficult times. He was one of a kind.

I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Hugh Davidson, but I have happy memories of Hugh in London where he facilitated a concert at Canada House for myself and two other Canadian musicians. He was most supportive of our aspirations and I really appreciate the confidence he showed in us at the start of our musical careers. My condolences to his family and friends.

I met Hugh many, many years ago in Ottawa and I had a great admiration for him. He helped me, as a pianist, and I was and still am very grateful to him. for some reason i lost contact with him when he moved back West and i feel so unhappy not having met him in years.
I am very sad to hear about by his passing and I send his family my heartfelt condolences.

I can’t begin to tell you how much I will miss Hugh. Many of my colleagues at the Victoria Symphony will speak about his financial contributions, both to the orchestra itself and toward the commissioning of compositions, his time on the Board, and his encyclopedic knowledge of repertoire that made him an invaluable member of the artistic planning team. But I will take the most delight in remembering just how much he loved music. He was such a sweet presence in the hall when the Victoria Symphony was either rehearsing or performing, and I will continue looking out into the hall for him in the years to come. I remember when Rostropovich died, I heard about it during rehearsal (no doubt from one of many smart phones in the brass section) and when I told Hugh at the break, his response was to cross himself (like a good high Anglican) and say “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That last statement was my first thought when I heard of Hugh’s passing. His was a life well-lived indeed.

Robert Fraser
Bass Trombonist, Victoria Symphony

Greetings family and friends of Hugh Hanson Davidson.
Hugh was an extraordinary mentor and friend, and we weep together at his passing. My favorite Hugh-ism is ‘c’est le ton qui fait la musique’ – it’s the tone that make the music! Hugh was dedicated to supporting harmony in the world and generating artistic pleasures for mankind. I imagine Hugh now an Angel finally finding the time to finish his promised symphony for God, leading a choir of Angels and commissioning some Angel painter to depict the scenery of Heaven. We will all miss him terribly.

We will miss our dear friend, and cherish the memories of Hugh’s wit and humour at dinners, afternoon teas, picnics and parties. He will remain in our hearts as an inspiration, and an example of what can be good in this world.

Condolences indeed. We must all be grateful that he so emphatically made the world a better place by living in it.