Guest Op-Ed: In Appreciation of Dave Hubbard

From the WIHA Officers and Board of Directors

The life of G. David Hubbard II (Dave) was filled with honor and achievement.  Dave’s love for Winthrop was evident in his remarkable service to the Town: Town Moderator, Boy Scout Leader, Town Historian, President of Winthrop Hospital, Man of the Year, countless committees and boards. He packed a lot of accomplishments into one lifetime.

To us at Winthrop Improvement & Historical Association (WIHA), Dave Hubbard was the heart and soul of the organization.

Dave was a member of WIHA for the past 42 years. He had tremendous respect for the nearly 400-year-old Deane Winthrop House, and he spent countless hours working on the Association’s fiscal health as well as the House’s well-being.  Dave served on the WIHA Board in various roles: WIHA President, Treasurer (for 17 years), House and Grounds Committee Member, Board Member, and, in his later years, Director Emeritus. Dave set the example for the importance and joys of volunteerism.

Dave gave witty and informative tours to visitors of the Deane Winthrop House. He would tell ghost stories about Captain Pierce, the first owner of the property, and stories about the colonial Winthrop Family. He hosted a program through the Winthrop elementary school system for third graders to visit the Deane Winthrop House.  Dave taught them about the history of the House and their hometown. For hundreds of local children, the old brown house on Shirley Street became more than just a place to eat strawberry shortcake every June.

And no one enjoyed our Strawberry Festivals more than Dave.  He would wear his colonial costume and tri-cornered hat and give tours of the House. Afterward, he’d happily mingle in the yard with our guests.

Many Winthrop residents knew Dave from the more than 900 “Winthrop Then and Now” articles that he wrote for the Winthrop Sun Transcript.  He made many tv appearances on WCAT that can still be viewed on YouTube. For years, Dave wrote the historical pieces in the Town phone books. He authored books, notably a map book and post card book, with all the profits going to WIHA.  This became the basis of the WIHA Educational Fund that awards a scholarship to a Winthrop High School student every year.

We have so many happy memories, such as Dave speaking with pride about his family; dancing with his wonderful wife, Claire (also a WIHA Past President and Board member) during “Music on the Lawn” concerts; participating in the Horribles Parades every year; helping to tend Deane Winthrop’s grave in Revere; hosting Winthrop trivia games; and paying for his WIHA member dinners with crisp $2 bills.

Like many brilliant people, Dave did not suffer fools gladly, but if you were his friend, you were his friend for keeps. He was teacher, mentor and inspiration for so many of us at WIHA. He set the gold standard for the responsible stewardship of a non-profit organization.

Godspeed, Dave Hubbard, and thank you from all of us.

“Tally-ho!” dear friend.