Paul M. Hughes, a former broadcasting executive, and New Canaan resident, died Wednesday, March 11th at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, CT. , surrounded by his family. He was 70 years old and resided in New Canaan, CT and Hyannis Port, MA A graduate of Boston College in 1960, Mr. Hughes’ broadcast career spanned over 35 years. He was recognized as one of the strongest and most experienced executives in the broadcast industry. He was Chairman of Hughes Broadcasting Partners and O.G. Holdings, from 1990 to 2000, which owned TV stations in Rochester NY and Salt Lake City UT. Prior to that, Mr. Hughes was President of King World Broadcasting, as well as Director of King World Productions. From 1982-1987, Mr. Hughes was President of Viacom International’s Broadcast and Entertainment Divisions, where he oversaw management of 13 television and radio stations, had responsibility for acquisitions and divestitures, as well as being responsible for worldwide program syndication and network program production. From 1978 to 1982, Mr. Hughes was Vice President and General Manager of WVIT-TV in Hartford CT. Prior to his tenure at WVIT, Mr. Hughes served as Vice President and General Manager of Midwest Radio and TV’s WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, MN. From 1976 to 1977, Mr. Hughes served as Executive Vice President of TeleRep, Inc, the leading television rep firm. Prior to TeleRep, Mr. Hughes held various management positions with Poole Broadcasting and Capital Cities Broadcasting. Mr. Hughes recently retired (in 2007) from the Cox Radio Board of Directors, after serving for 12 years as Chairman of the Audit Committee. He had also served as the President of the Connecticut Broadcasters Association, and had been a member of the Board of Governors of the Boston/ New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Mr. Hughes was always active in community affairs, including serving as Chairman of the Greater Hartford Martin Luther King Youth Fund and as an officer of the Hartford Urban League. He served in executive positions with the United Way, Junior Achievement and St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford. He was also a former Board member of the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Greenwich, CT, the Doane -Stuart School in Albany, New York (also a former Sacred Heart school), and the Regional Network Board of Sacred Heart schools. As a member of the Hyannis Port Club and of the Woodway Country Club in Darien, Mr. Hughes was an avid golfer. He was also a talented artist, a talent that he refined during his retirement years. Mr. Hughes is survived by his wife of 45 years, Maureen, and three children, Caroleen Hughes Mackin of NYC, James Farrell Hughes of New Canaan CT, Nancy McCabe Hughes of Groton, MA. , and his sister, Bernardine C. Hughes, of Grand Blanc, MI. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday March 14th at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church in Darien CT. Calling hours will be held on Friday, March 13th at Hoyt’s Funeral Home in New Canaan, CT. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Paul Hughes’s name to the Convent of the Sacred Heart School in NYC, 1 East 91st Street, NY NY 10128.