Harvey Hubbell IV

Lived Life Exuberantly

Harvey Hubbell IV, 80, of North Palm Beach, Fla., died February 16, at his local residence on West Street in Newtown. He was born May 8, 1929, in Bridgeport, to Clara (Ham) Hubbell and Harvey Hubbell III. He was a longtime resident of Newtown, a descendent of Newtown’s first town clerk, Peter Hubbell, and a resident of Florida since 1984. Harvey Hubbell IV was the beloved husband of Ann (Edwards) Hubbell for the past 22 years.

Mr Hubbell was a graduate of the Eastman National Business College and the Babson Institute, and served as a first lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean conflict.

He worked for the family business, Harvey Hubbell, Inc, serving in various capacities before retiring from the business, which manufactured electrical products for commercial markets. Mr Hubbell held patents in electrical and related fields.

An ardent historian, Mr Hubbell was a member and president of The Hubbell Center, a family historical society located in Des Moines, Iowa, as well as a member of the Palm Beach Genealogical Society.

He was an avid hot air balloonist since 1978. One of his balloons, the Chanticleer, sported Newtown’s “Rooster” logo. Mr Hubbell and his crew flew worldwide, including Poland, where the Chanticleer was the first American hot air balloon to take flight there in 1984. The balloon was also one of only three hot air balloons included in the Ronald Reagan inaugural events in January 1981. Mr Hubbell also served as director of the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his son, Harvey Hubbell V of Litchfield; daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Richard Lugovich of Harrisburg, Penn.; brother and sister-in-law, William Ham Hubbell and Bianca of Argentina; and a sister and brother-in-law, Elizabeth Schwerin and Tim of Vero Beach, Fla. Mr Hubbell also leaves behind a beloved legacy of stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and numerous extended family members.

Mr Hubbell will be remembered by those who knew him for his incredible faith, and his zest for life.

Calling hours will be at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, Friday, February 19, from 2 to 4 pm and from 6 to 8 pm. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, February 20, at 11 am, at Trinity Episcopal Church, Main Street, Newtown. Burial will follow at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport.

Memorial donations may be made to the following organizations: Hubbell Family Scholarship Fund, 5102 Kenmore Avenue, Parma OH 44134; The Hubbell Center, Suite 422, Hubbell Building, 904 Walnut Street, Des Moines, IA 50309; New England Air Museum, 36 Perimeter Road, Windsor Locks CT 06096; or Fidelco Guide Dogs, 103 Old Iron Ore Road, Bloomfield CT 06002 (www.fidelco.org).

The family would like to thank all those who have shared Mr Hubbell’s life, and in closing, state one of his favorite phrases: “This, too, shall pass.”

The Newtown Bee        February 19, 2010