Obituary for Daytona News Journal

G. James Hughes of Indigo Lakes and a former resident of New York passed away in Chatsworth California on June 26 2008 at the age of 93. Raised and educated in Manhattan New York Hughes completed university programs at the New York School of Commerce American Institute of Banking and Rutger's Graduate School of Banking.

Born in New Jersey Hughes began his banking career with Chase National Bank in New York in 1931. After 25 years with Chase National and Chase Manhattan Banks in New York including three years with the Army Ground Forces during World War II Hughes was selected by Arthur Vining Davis to head the Metropolitan Bank of Miami. Following Davis' death several years later the bank was sold to out of state interests and Hughes resigned in order to serve as caretaker-President of Pan American Bank of Miami during the Sottile family's divestiture of its controlling interest in the Pan American Banking Group. In 1962 Hughes returned north and became President of Atlantic Bank of New York until 1973 when he took early retirement. Returning again to south Florida he finished his banking career as Vice Chairman of the Peoples Group of National Banks and Director of Development for the Bank of Miami. In 1981 Hughes was honored by The Florida Bankers Association for his 50 years of service to the industry.

In 1984 Jim moved to Daytona Beach where he continued working for General Business Systems Coldwell Banker Real Estate and finally as an account executive for WROD . Hughes was active in Kiwanis for 30 years and served as the Lieutenant Governor of Division 17 representing 21 clubs in southeast Florida. While in Miami Hughes was a Chamber of Commerce executive as well as being elected President in 1960 of the Chamber of Commerce of the Americas. In Daytona Jim was an active member of the Southminster Presbyterian Church.

Hughes is survived by his wife Margaret also living in Chatsworth; his son James Hughes of Florida/Maine; son-in-law Michael Brennan of California/England; step-daughter Joy Grau of California; seven grandchildren (Katie James Andrew James Brett and Jocelyn); and seven great-grandchildren (Aeden Jonathan Chaya Chandini Meghan Tanner and Ryan) spanning both coasts.