Linda K. Harris
lharris@centercityphila.org
215.440.5546

PHILADELPHIA, PA (February 3, 2017) – The Center City District (CCD) is very saddened to announce that William P. Hughes, Sr., Vice President of Public Safety and Cleaning Operations, died on Wednesday, February 1, after a long illness.

Mr. Hughes joined the CCD in June 1998, after retiring from the Philadelphia Police Department as a Lieutenant with more than 25 years experience in patrol, training and administration. At the CCD, he oversaw all of the CCD’s on-street cleaning operations and public safety initiatives, which included a staff of more than 45 Community Service Representatives (CSRs) and five CSR managers, who act as ambassadors to the public and jointly stand roll call with the Philadelphia Police Department, and more than 120 uniformed personnel on the street using pan and brooms, Green Machines, and power-washing equipment to keep Center City clean and attractive for residents, workers, and visitors.

“Bill Hughes brought so much to the CCD, creating a strong, professional structure for the CSR and cleaning programs, excellent coordination with the Philadelphia Police Department, training and promotion opportunities for his staff and, with his soft-spoken, friendly manner, setting a great example for the on-street ambassadors that have made Center City such a welcoming place,” said Paul R. Levy, President and CEO of the Center City District. “He was committed to working with businesses, residents and workers in Center City and to solving problems. He will be greatly missed, but we are extremely grateful for all his many contributions and the legacy he leaves for our staff.”

Mr. Hughes initiated proactive deployment strategies utilizing computerized crime-mapping data and led the start-up of a program to identify and process in partnership with City agencies to address public-space issues that affect the quality of life throughout Center City Philadelphia.

“I had the honor of working with Bill for 15 years and always admired his positive, can-do outlook,” said Nancy A. Goldenberg, Vice President of Planning and Development and Executive Director of the Center City District Foundation. “We worked particularly closely in developing what is now our Public Space Collaborative, a multi-agency initiative that works to ensure our public environment is kept clean, safe and attractive. Under Bill’s leadership, this group grew and continues to flourish today. It will remain one of his many lasting contributions. Bill’s dedication to this city and to our organization was unrivaled and I will miss him enormously.”

“Bill had the extraordinary ability to work with everyone across all departments and was always willing to do something extra to help,” said Anthony E. Pipitone, Vice President of Finance and Administration for the CCD. “He was the voice of reason and I was always able to bounce ideas off him and get a balanced and honest opinion.”

Mr. Hughes held a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Saint Joseph’s University, a Master’s Degree in Education from Holy Family University, and was a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, and Pennsylvania State University’s Police Executives Institute (POLEX). He served as an Adjunct Professor at Holy Family University, where he taught Constitutional Law, and conducted workshops throughout the United States and the United Kingdom.

“When I first joined the CCD in 2012, Bill was a generous mentor,” said Steven W. Bussey, Vice President for Parks and Streetscape Operations. “As I was supervising the construction of Dilworth Park, he provided great guidance on security issues that we needed to consider and, once the park opened, he was essential to our daily operations. I always had great respect for his opinion.”

“Professionally, Bill and my team worked very closely coordinating CCD events,” said Michelle Shannon, Vice President of Marketing and Communications. “Bill weighed in on event safety and security and arranged for CSRs and supervisors to work alongside our marketing team at events. Personally, Bill was a man you could count on in crisis to keep you safe, give you sound advice and be a man of action, never quite losing that fundamental focus on security that comes with years of police work. On work trips, Bill and I were often the only folks to bring our spouses, which speaks to the great bond he shared with his wife, Terry. We will miss his humor, advice and friendship and our prayers go out to Terry and his family.”

Mr. Hughes is survived by his wife, Theresa; three children, Kristie Dugan and her husband, Chris; William, Jr., and his wife, Lauren; Jennifer McDonald and her husband, Shaun; nine granddaughters, one grandson, and one great grandson; his mother, Dorothy Hughes, and three brothers.

Friends may call on Monday, February 6, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., at the John F. Fluehr & Sons Funeral Home, 3301 Cottman Avenue, and Tuesday morning, from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.,  at St. Martin of Tours Church, 5450 East Roosevelt Boulevard, where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Little Flower Catholic High School, 1000 West Lycoming Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140.