John M. Singer Dies, Ex-Manager of U.S. Grant Hotel

John M. Singer, a hotel management executive and former general manager of the U.S. Grant Hotel, has died.

Singer, a Scripps Ranch resident, died Saturday at Scripps Clinic after a brief illness. He was 58.

Singer, a native of San Diego, graduated from UCLA. He was active in hotel management with his wife, Sue, in California, Florida and Connecticut, according to a family spokesman. He was general manager of the U.S. Grant in downtown San Diego in 1980 and ‘81, the two years before the hotel’s multimillion-dollar renovation.

Singer was a board member of the San Diego Hotel-Motel Assn. He was a past president of the Connecticut Hotel Assn., past vice president of the New England Innkeepers Assn. and past president of the Pinellas County (Fla.) Restaurant Assn.

Known as a bon vivant and raconteur by family and friends, he was a founding member of Aspiring Tycoons and Toastmasters.

Singer is survived by his wife; daughter Carolyn Hardin of Aspen, Colo.; son Stephen of Las Vegas, and two grandchildren.

Cremation is planned, with ashes to be scattered at sea. No services will be held. Memorial donations may be sent to the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla.