Kevin Michael Hughes

The many stages of Kevin Hughes: actor, theatre manager, arts and culture and science advocate, lobbyist, teacher, autodidact, prolific reader and avid crossword puzzler, son, brother, husband, uncle, father, grandfather, community-builder, and cultivator of friendships. He engaged everyone in his orbit with great curiosity, wit, and humor.

He was an accomplished, ethical lobbyist and fundraiser, and over the course of his career he was involved in many major projects in the community, including Pacific Science Center, Seattle Aquarium, McCaw Hall, Building For The Arts. He served on the Washington State Housing Commission.

Kevin made his Irish goodbye near his home in Seattle on Christmas morning, passing away suddenly, unexpectedly. He is survived by his sons, Dylan and Ian Hughes, wife Ann-Marie Spata, granddaughter Sola Fukuda-Hughes, daughter-in-law Minami Fukuda and Andrea Rockwood, who are forever grateful for the time they had together, and for the gift of one last joyful Christmas Eve shared.

Kevin is the third of five children born to Edward Hughes and Mary Ellen (Boyce) Hughes in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Predeceased by his parents, his brother Terry Hughes, and sister-in-law Mary Hughes, Kevin also leaves behind his brothers Ed and John Hughes, sister Mary Beth Hughes, brother-in-law Joe Deeney, sister-in-law Jeanne Hughes. Kevin was blessed with many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews who will miss his gregarious spirit.

Always curious about others, Kevin had a way of making meaningful connections with people from all different walks of life. He cared deeply about building and maintaining relationships, and has kept in close touch with beloved friends and family all over the country. These deep friendships have resulted in a rich network of honorary family, whom Kevin and his family loved. Of special note is Kevin’s life-long friend Richard Wright, who supported Kevin and mentored him after the early passing of Kevin’s father.

As a teenager, Kevin began theater training at Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania. Later, as a member of the resident company, he acted, directed, sold tickets, cooked, parked cars, became company manager, and met the love of his life, Ann-Marie Spata. They married in 1980 and moved to Seattle.

Once in Seattle, Kevin pivoted to the administrative side of theater. He became the business manager, and then managing director of Empty Space Theatre, and managed the move from Pike Street on Capital Hill to Merrill Place in Pioneer Square.

In 1986 Kevin melded his passion for the arts with his interest in government as Director of the Washington State Arts Alliance, lobbying the state legislature on behalf of arts organizations statewide. In 1990 his scope of work expanded to include science advocacy as the Public Affairs Director for Pacific Science Center. There he successfully conducted a major capital campaign, lobbied for annual support from the State, and accompanied award-winning science teachers to Washington D.C. to be recognized by Washington’s Congressional Members.

In 1997 Kevin established his own business, Hughes and Associates, to support the local arts and cultural community, as well as other industries, such as renewable energy, solid waste and recycling, and hunger abatement. He was also instrumental in the establishment of Seattle’s Historic Theater District, Cultural Access Washington, and CulturePAC.

Kevin was very proud of his years mentoring and inspiring future arts leaders as an adjunct professor in the Arts Leadership program at Seattle University, where he engaged political and cultural leaders as colleagues to serve as guest presenters.

Upon his retirement in 2020, Kevin volunteered at Literacy Source as a tutor for immigrants applying for U.S. citizenship. He kept physically and mentally active by walking, reading, traveling, solving crosswords and cryptic puzzles, gathering with friends, and enjoying adventures with his beloved granddaughter, all with his treasured trademark sense of humor.

• Celebration of Life

Sunday, March 15, 3:00pm - 5:00pm PST

Paramount Theater Lobby

911 Pine St., Seattle 98101

• Parking and Directions

https://www.stgpresents.org/theatres/directions-parking/the-paramount-theatre/

• If possible, please help the family prepare for the gathering and let them know if you plan to attend:

http://forms.gle/2crXArANxzUbNKqv8

• Livestream Link:

Livestream will begin 3:30pm PST

A link will be provided here closer to the date of the gathering. Please check back.