JEFFREY HUGHES

HUGHES--Jeffrey Peter,

of New York City and Bridgehampton, NY died peacefully in New York on February 28th surrounded by his loving family. He was 77 years old. Jeff was born August 5th, 1940 in Philadelphia, PA to Wilbert Joseph and Minnie Hertel Hughes, and he grew up there attending Abington public schools. He graduated from Wesleyan University in 1962 with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and from Duke University Law School in 1965. After serving in the Air National Guard, Jeff practiced law for several years at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in New York City. In 1968, he joined Lehman Brothers and became a partner in 1976. During his twenty-six years at Lehman Brothers, Jeff launched the firm's private- financing department, led early leveraged buyout financings, and had senior investment banking coverage responsibilities for industrial, energy, and consumer product companies. He also served as a member of Lehman Brothers' investment committee and as head of the Financial Institutions Group. Jeff spent his last five years at Lehman Brothers in the Merchant Banking Group. In 1994, Jeff, and several senior members of Lehman's Merchant Banking Group, left to form the private equity firm The Cypress Group where he was Vice Chairman. During his fifty years in the financial services industry, Jeff served on multiple corporate boards. Throughout his life, Jeff supported and maintained active involvement in his and his children's schools, his church, his golf clubs, and many favorite cultural institutions and causes. Two of his most important were The Battery Conservancy and Duke Law School. Jeff was on the board and served as Treasurer of The Battery Conservancy, and he took great pride in the revitalization of New York City's Battery Park into a beautiful and tranquil public garden. Jeff was a life member of Duke Law School's Board of Visitors and a past Chairman of the Global Capital Markets Center. In 2010, he received Duke Law School's Charles S. Rhyne Award in recognition of his career achievements. Over the past several years, Jeff had not retired completely but was, in his words, "gradually working less and playing more." His last twenty summers were spent in Bridgehampton, NY where he treasured the moments with his adored family, the chances to play golf - his passion since childhood - and the time to enjoy many wonderful and dear friendships. Jeff is remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and he took great pride in the accomplishments of his family. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bettysue Cameron, his two sons Jeffrey and Cameron, his daughter-in-law Sarah Fenstemacher Hughes, and his two granddaughters Madeleine and Willa Hughes. In addition, Jeff is survived by his brother David Hughes and his brother-in-law Joseph Cameron. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 14, 2018 in New York City with a reception following for friends and family. Donations may be made in Jeff's honor to The Battery Conservancy, 1 Whitehall Street 17th Fl, New York. NY 10004 or www.thebattery.org