RFH 2010, Passings

Update: More Comment on John Hubbard's Passing

Thu, May 06, 2010

Hamilton lost its finest chronicler of life here in the Chenango Valley: John Hubbard died today. He was 60.

He was at home with his family when he died after a long bout with cancer. (We will add details of arrangements when they are available.) He is survived by his wife Mary Joe, daughters Sarah and Emma and son Sam and more loving friends than even he knew he had.

Hubbs grew up in New Hartford and attended Colgate, graduating in 1972. He worked as a sportswriter and photographer for The Bennington (VT) Banner before returning to Colgate in 1979 as a writer and photographer. He retired from Colgate in 2005 and became VP for Community Affairs and Public Relations at Community Memorial Hospital.

For many years, John wrote a weekly column for The MidYork Weekly, At the Hub, which also appeared in The Oneida Daily Dispatch for some time. In his column he wrote about people and events that otherwise might not have made headlines; small victories, modest beginnings and the passings of people many people did not know ... but who Hubbs did.

But, John may have been best known as the man with the camera. He and his Canons were ubiquitous in Hamilton and beyond. Most of the time he was not shooting for pay, not on assignment. He shot photos because he loved the art and he loved that his subjects felt special when that shutter clicked. 

For the past several years, Hubbs created the slice of life photo slide shows that appear before features at the Hamilton Movie Theater.

We asked many who knew John to offer their thoughts. (We will post more as they are received.)

Patty Caprio,Colgate's Director of Leadership Giving:

It is amazing that John's nickname was "Hubbs". To me it epitomizes him as he was at the center of his family, his friends, his community, and his jobs; he was "the Hub".  Colgate, Community Memorial Hospital and Hamilton have lost the person who knew the heart and soul of these great places -- he told us and showed us.

Judy Schenk, manager of the Barge:

I have lost a very dear friend, mentor and hero. I will miss John more than words can say. I know he is now at peace. Let the healing begin.

Dr. Merrill Miller, who worked with John at Colgate and the hospital:

John was a kind and gentle man.His photography and newspaper columns were superb, and reflected his down-to-earth feelings about people and the world we live in. He had a smile for everyone, and an interest in all of us. His family, his friends, his alma mater, and the local hospital will miss him greatly and remember him fondly.

Bob Cornell, former sports information director at Colgate:

I'm broken hearted for his family.  I've known John for a long time, and we shared many special moments together at Colgate ahtletic events.  I will miss him a lot, but at the same time i"m thankful for the memories. I always remember one saying at times like this ... Keep your face to the sunshine, and you won't see the shadows. Remember the good times.

Chuck Fox, manager of the Hamilton Theater:

John Hubbard saw Hamilton like no one else.  Behind the camera, he always made everyone look good and, even without his camera, he made everyone feel good. John's pre-show of community faces and images at the theater became a highlight.  You knew you'd 'made it' in Hamilton when you appeared in one of Hubbs' shows.  John was funny and fun and full of life. We already miss him.

Ben Eberhardt, inkeeper at the Colgate Inn:

A wonderful man, had an uncanny ability to capture the personality and personalities of Hamilton. I am so sad.

Matt Malloy

Simply put, John Hubbard had a playful glow about him. My shoulders always dropped and I somehow felt better about being alive whenever our paths crossed. Lifting peoples spirits with his calm, gentle humor and warm heart was just something in his nature. He was an true artist, able to bring the best out in people and situations as he quietly connected with everything around him. You could see it in his photos and feel it in his writing. People relaxed around John, you just trusted him implicitly and never asked why because he never let you down. I think this is why he was able to capture the essence of those he photographed. And not just people. One of my favorite photos is  one John took of me and my surly old giant schnauzer Mina who my wife and I , and ONLY my wife and I, adored. She would snap at people who were gently petting her, luckily she was down to just a few teeth when we adopted her at age 10 so if she managed land a bite it was mostly gums. John just swung into the driveway one summer day as we sat on the front steps and asked if he could take a few shots. Even Mina, this malcontent curmudgeon, a grumpy beast at best, was transformed by John's presence. I have the photo hanging in my office. She is poised and dignified and downright pleasant .  Friends who see it are dumbstruck, "THAT was Mina?" they ask "what did you give her valium?" . They hadn't see that side of her but John somehow drew it out of her and preserved it on film forever. The love that shines through his photos and writings never failed to move me. I found myself going to the movies early just to see his slide show. He will be sorely missed but he will live on in his greatest creation and love of all, his family. In their laughter and kindness and playfulness we will hear and see and feel John's playful glow shining on into the future.

Ed Vollmer, who organized a special group Christmas wish for John (photo below)

John was a man who loved his music, along with his passion for sharing all the good he saw everywhere around him. He made us appreciate the day to day treasures that we are sometimes too busy to enjoy.

Bob Tyburski, Vice President and Senior Philanthropic Advisor;

Hubbs was not just special to many people, he was special to many different people. Colgate students and generations of alumni. Village leaders and everyday community citizens. The staff of Community Memorial Hospital and the patients his efforts helped. The list seems endless and will be when you add those who will hear about him and his many good works well into the future. I was especially moved by his love of family, inspired by his talents, and personally benefited from his care for friends. And just as I treasured the twinkle in his eye, the reflective words he wrote or spoke, and the hearty laugh that echoed mine after he delivered a witty line, I will forever be in awe of how his photographs of places made you feel you were there, and how his photographs of faces made you feel you knew people you never met. I'm not just grateful to have worked with Hubbs as a colleague or lucky to call him a friend, I'm blessed.

Carolyn Godfrey, who was John's editor at the MidYork Weekly:

One of my favorite memories of John was in my early days as a photographer at Colgate football. As we stood with cameras to our eyes - 35 mm back then - he quickly pulled me back and a Boston College player landed where I would have been standing. He looked at me and said "Carolyn, you'll learn to smell them coming" and that I did. Have to say I learned a lot from John over the years. He'll be dearly missed.

Sean Nevison:

I rmemeber his articles in the local paper. He had a great appreciation for music, and a great understanding of people. I still remember the article he wrote about Bob Dylan and The Band's early recordings together. I will never forgot his description in capturing music close to my heart.

Mayor Sue McVaugh

About a year ago we got the word that every municipality was invited to submit something to the Madison County Fair portraying "What Makes our Community Great". It took us about 1 minute to say "Our residents" and about 2 seconds more to say, "Let's ask John Hubbard for some pictures of people." And, voila, John produced a magnificent collage of many, many pictures of Hamilton folks. After its entry into the Fair, it resided for a time in the window of the bike shop for all to see. Generations of people have seen the community through the eyes/lens of John Hubbard. What a legacy he has left behind. The 4th of July committee unanimously named John to be Grand Marshall. He knew about this honor.

Comments(5):

1. John Hubbard

   Friday, May 07, 2010 Putter

   I have known John and the family since 1984. It was something to know someone that talented, with both the lens and the pen. His columns often brought me to tears. John could be extraordinarily funny and charming, but essentially he was a shy man whose camera spoke volumes. Before there was a Colgate Raider, the university had a ubiquitous mascot with a beard, a khaki vest and a camera. John will be missed.

2. Mr. Hubbard and Hamilton

   Friday, May 07, 2010 Katie

   For me, Hamilton is very much about the friendly and familiar faces you see while walking around town. Passing by Mr. Hubbard on the sidewalk with his camera around his neck and a sincere smile across his face is something that always made me feel "at home." He is also our photographer and has captured images of Hamilton and Colgate that will live on forever and will be a constant reminder of his great presence in our lives. He took a family picture for us that has become famous in our extended family as the best family photo we have ever had taken. My family has his family in our prayers.

3. John Hubbard

   Monday, May 10, 2010 Mary

   I first met John while I was tending bar at Hickey’s Tavern one Sunday night around 1980 or so. John walked in around 11:00 and ordered a brew and started talking to old man Tupper and myself while we played cards. After a few hands of gin rummy it felt I’d known this Cool Cat for years. That was John just plain kind and likeable, down to earth Hamiltonian. John wrote so many wonderful things about everybody and everything in his weekly column. Reading his column made you feel good. I mean really good. When our son was born He wrote “There are blue balloons bobbing in the breeze on a porch just down the street. A male child has come into the largely female fold at our neighbor’s and he represents not just another guy to improve the odds but a fresh start and an optimism in the future that feels especially good. That he’ll grow to be a Giants’ fan is secondary to the love two older sisters and his mother and father will give him. I haven’t seen him yet don’t even know is given name but I like the kid already and am delighted to welcome the lad to Maple Avenue”. John had been a friend and neighbor of ours for many years. When I got sick John knew exactly what to say and what to do. He was at my side even though he was going through his own issues at the time. While deciding what to do John told me about his oncologist and my future oncologist at the time. He told me that they were childhood friends and they hung together in a pretty tight net group growing up. He told me “Don’t worry, Tony was the smartest one in the bunch”. I knew then I had to face this battle with the humor that John led with. Thanks John!!!! We join the community with heartfelt sorrow but also proud of knowing and loving John Hubbard a LEGEND. Randy and Mary Jones

4. John Hubbard

   Thursday, May 13, 2010 Tommy

   I visited him a few weeks ago and keeping with his awesome spirit, he steered the conversation toward my family and wanted to know all about them. I'll always remember that about him. He always made me feel special! Amazing!!! It's a great life lesson we can all use to honor him. I called him Johnny. I don't know why. I think he liked that I took liberties and got down to the kid in us. We'd talk about photography but rarely about pictures. It was more about comparing stories. A way to vent and always hilarious. We used to joke that we'd write a screenplay about a wedding photographer. We have the same birthday. It will never be the same."

5. Remembering "Hubbs"

   Thursday, May 20, 2010 Reyna

   John was “At the Hub” of all of us – whether you loved sports, music, art, nature, people, good food and/or other expressions of grace or humanity, he appreciated YOU for that…and his recognition made you feel noble in your efforts. Michael and I were able to visit with John a few days before he passed. Although his physical stature and voice had diminished, the John we all knew and loved was still present, and we are so grateful to have had that last visit. I had a few minutes alone with him, and as usual he shifted the focus of conversation from himself by asking me about my music –who had I been playing with and what type of music was I playing these days. John was always tremendously supportive of my artwork and my music. He smiled when I told him I was often mesmerized by fiddle tunes, nodding and saying, “It’s good; it’s all good.” Michael returned from helping Sam and Mary Jo unload Sam’s first truckload from college. We talked for awhile, but John’s eyes were closing and we knew it was time to go. We rose as a group and were leaving the room, but John called me back. When I turned, he met my eyes and said in his rather offhand, yet purposeful way, “Keep playing, Reyna…just keep playing.” Those turned out to be the last words I heard him say. I will remember his words, not only when I take out my mandolin, but in the way I live my life. I can’t think of a better legacy to leave a friend. Thanks, John Reyna Stagnaro