Hughes, Robert

Description

Robert Powell Hughes was born on September 2, 1895, in New York, New York, to Mary M McNeil, age 29, and Walter Charles Hughes, age 34. He had three brothers and five sisters.

Robert lived most of his life in Rye. He attended New York University School of Engineering and served as an officer in the Navy transport services during World War I.

He was in the investment banking business from 1920 to 1941, and was retired president of the Red Hand Compositions Co., New York City, paint manufacturers.

He was married to Edna Tuthill Thrall Hughes and in Rye they family lived at 3 Adelaide Street.

During World War II, Robert served on the Industrial Advisory Committee of the War Production Board and on the War Production Board during the Korean War. He was appointed deputy director of public information for the State Civil Defense organization in 1959.

Robert was a former mayor of Rye, serving from 1955-1961 and was active in village and city government for over twenty-five years.

He was a member of Christ’s Church; a past master of Valiant Lodge, Port Chester; a member of the Rye Lions Club; the Police Patrol of the Rye Fire Department; the Westchester Country Club; the American Yacht Club; the Union League Club of New York City; the Downtown Athletic Club of New York City; and the Rye Fish and Game Club.

Robert P. Hughes, former mayor of Rye and active in village and city government for twenty-five years, died suddenly on Tuesday April 14, 1964 at the United Hospital from a heart attack at the age of sixty-eight.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Mrs. Edna Tuthill Thrall Hughes; three brothers, Herbert of Hartsdale, Walter of Farmingdale, L. I., and Charles of Rye; and three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Darrah of Port Chester, Miss Harriet Hughes and Miss Marion Hughes, both of Rye.

Funeral services were held at Christ’s Church and burial was at Greenwood Union Cemetery in Rye.