Robert Bob\" Hughey

Robert "Little Bob" Hughey, 86 of Goetzville, formerly Mackinac Island and St.Ignace passed away Saturday afternoon, March 24 at the home of his daughter Yvonne Della-Moretta in St.Ignace following a lingering illness. He was born in Detroit on September 19,1926. His parents were Chester and Eunice (Stokes) Hughey. He came to Mackinac Island in 1943 with few dollars in his pocket and worked for the Grand Hotel as night watchman. he also was a cook for other restaurants, and started the famous "Little Bobs" restaurant in 1948, which was a stopping spot for families and famous people for nearly 50 years. He started the business with seven dollars and a rented building and food borrowed from others, building the business over the years to employ nearly 60 locals. He was favorable to local islanders and family for help. He served 2 hitches in the U.S. Army, and was the chef for General McArthurs Headquarters in Japan, with 60 Japanese cooks under him. He was one of the organizers of the Lilac Festival in 1949, and was Grand Marshall in 2008. He is known as one of Mackinac Islands most colorful Entrepreneurs. He served as Mayor in 1960 after a term as elected school board member and city council member. He also went to Arizona and was a chef for a Country Club and and mining camp serving 2200 meals a day. After closing the Little Bobs restaurant on the Island, he built the Frontier Restaurant on Mackinac Trail and it operated for 10 years, serving \'Little Bob" style food with many family members as employees. He continued to work until in his 80\'s. He has written a book which is nearly published, and will tell the tale of business on the island and it\'s politics. On December 27,1952 he married Patricia Brenzie at St.Stanislaus Church in Goetzville, and she survives. Also his family; Duane and Cindy Hughey, St.Ignace; Kevin and Rene Hughey, Goetzville; Darwin and Martha Hughey, St.Ignace; Yvonne and Tom Della-Moretta, St.Ignace; brothers, Don and Phyllis Hughey, Harbor Springs; Arvin and Beth Hughey, in Florida; Chester and Marie Hughey, Charlevoix; sisters, Neoma Brown, Indiana; Lorraine Kingma, Charlevoix; Wyoma VandeCeveye, Perkins,MI; Bonnie and Ron Holck, Birch Run; Sharon and Walker Whelan, in CA.;; Dawn Kirksey in Mexico; 10 grand children and 4 great grandchildren. Also 2 sisters in law, Marilyn and Karen Hughey. he was preceeded in death by brothers, Neil and Carlton and 5 grandsons, and a best friend Billy Pickford. At his request cremation has taken place. No services will be held. Memorials may be directed to a charity of choice. Dodson Funeral Home, St.Ignace assisted the family with arrangements.

Tributes

Robert Bob\" Hughey

March 24, 2012