Leo Hughes

As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so a life well spent brings happy death (Leonardo DaVinci). Leo was an eternal optimist, always looking at a situation and viewing its best possible solution for all involved. As he was taught by loving parents, he instilled in his two sons the value of hard work, often reminding them how, while still too young to drive, he would ride his bicycle over a huge viaduct on his Detroit News route, not just on Sundays, but every day of the week, rain or shine. His happiest times were family gatherings with as many members as possible in attendance and since the family is small in number, even when all were gathered it wasn't a large group. Grandchildren brought him the greatest joy—just to sit and talk, finding out where they were in their lives and maybe offering a bit of advice, which the privilege of being a grandfather brings. Traveling, sharing a meal, or even being together "doing nothing" with dear family friends was treasured time. He could always bring amusement by speaking in "foreign" languages—completely nonsensical words that somehow made sense with the inflection he gave them. Even Austrian and German friends who spoke no English could figure out what he meant; his German word list consisted of "Ein Bier, bitte." He was a member and ordained Deacon in the Presbyterian Church of Traverse City and an affiliate member of Community Presbyterian Church in Englewood, Florida, where he and Sharon spent their winters for many years. Family dinner graces were always finished with Leo saying, "You lead, we'll follow." In the community, as a younger man, he wore many hats and poured himself into whichever project the organizations he was involved with were focused on. He served either as a Board Member, Trustee, Chairman or President of the Industrial Fund, National Cherry Festival, TC Area Chamber of Commerce, Grand Traverse Pavilions, and the Social Service/Family Independence Agency. He was an advisory Board Member, NW region for Huntington Bank. He served as Past Chairman of the Munson Development Council, past Corporate Board Member and past director of the Munson Foundation Board. He was a Life Member of Elks Lodge #323. He was an active member of the Traverse City noon Rotary Club for over 35 years, serving as Past President of the Club and past Director of Rotary Club Board of Directors, Rotary Camps and Services Board, Rotary Center Board and Rotary Charities Board. He was a Paul Harris Fellow. For many years, the Saturday morning writing sessions of the Rotary Show were a highlight for his alter ego in the show, Fr. Malarky. Who can forget "Toot and Tell or Go To Hell", or all the tongue in cheek, irreverent humor that the civic leaders brought on themselves and each other. All done in good humor— but all with a purpose—to focus on what made Traverse City special and what needed to be done to make it better. Being a great manager of time, he was always able to fit in the things he most enjoyed. While his sons were very young, he and others decided to start a hockey program to help teach the life lessons a team sport can provide. It all started with an outdoor ice rink built on a parking lot at the corner of State and Park Street; he enjoyed the time he spent coaching young hockey players. He played tennis for many years, encouraged his four grandchildren to learn and participate in the sport and especially enjoyed family tennis competitions. In 1976 he was instrumental in providing the first corporate sponsorship for a weekly youth tennis tournament which evolved into the establishment of the Grand Traverse Tennis Camps. The anticipation and planning of deer camp, trout camp, or small game camp, gave him great joy. For many years he was part of Traverse Lodge in Ontario, Canada, and Mother's Manistee Club. Friends helped him build his own cabin on the Boardman River, Tailfeathers. Many important, behind-the-scenes meetings were held there. The final decision for Rotary Club to buy the Park Place Hotel was made around the Tailfeathers' dining table. He did find time to actually have a career, working in Marketing for NBT (National Bank and Trust) from 1967-1970 and again as Senior Vice President from 1977 to 1983. He was part owner of Hagan's Fabric Care and Michigan Business Brokers and from 1984 until 1997 developed and operated Hubie's Wondergolf (minature golf courses) with locations in Houghton Lake, East Tawas and Cadillac. Though two of his personal goals were never met, slam dunking a basketball and driving a Zamboni, while Hubie's was under construction, he was able to operate a steam shovel—for a very short period of time. He had great wit and sense of timing and could say things to people that only would be funny coming from him—he never understood why others couldn't say the same thing and have it be humorous—or healing. He made people feel good about themselves and each other. For as long as he was able, as often as was possible, he donated blood. He and his wife, Sharon, met at Ferris Institute (now Ferris State University) at the first dance held their freshman year. Throughout their years together, they appreciated and were thankful for that chance meeting. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary spending a special evening with their sons. Leo was born February 29, 1940, to Arthur Daniel and Wanda (Emond)Hughes in Highland Park, MI. He is survived by his wife, Sharon McCaslin Hughes, sons Jeffery Lee and John Michael; grandchildren, Melissa Lee Spaly (Ryan), McCaslin Roy Hughes, Jonathan Davis Hughes and Chatham Lee Hughes, and his sisterin-law, Bonnie McCaslin and her children, Jennifer Columbus and David Columbus. Rev. Homer Nye will lead us in celebrating his life in the garden at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral home at 3:00 on Saturday, October 15, 2022. If you choose to remember Leo with a memorial, please support your favorite charity or Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation.

Leo Hughes

February 29, 1940 - July 20, 2022