Hugh R. Stephen

Hugh R. Stephen was mayor of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada from 1967 to 1969.

Born in Guildford, England, Stephen immigrated to Canada with his mother, father, and brother, arriving in Victoria in the late 1930s. Following a cross-Atlantic proposal, Barbara joined Hugh in Victoria, marrying in 1942. After six years in the Canadian Army, including a stint with Southeast Asia Command, Hugh entered business in 1946 as owner-manager of New Method Laundries, which he sold in 1963. After a year as alderman, Hugh was elected and served as Mayor of Victoria, serving in that capacity from 1967 to 1969. He served on the boards of numerous business and community organizations, including the University of Victoria (where a building was named after him) as past chairman. He also served at the Victoria Chamber of Commerce as past president.