The town council held a moment of silence at the beginning of its regular meeting last week to honor two residents who made a tremendous impact on Winthrop.
Bernard Costigan was a lifelong Winthrop resident and a proud member of the Winthrop Auxiliary Police for many years and a dedicated parishioner at St. John Church in Winthrop, said Council President Jim Letterie. Costigan died on July 29.
“He coached little league, softball and was a dedicated parishioner at St. John Church,” Letterie said. “Bernie was all about family, faith, and community and our thoughts go out to his family.”
Former Town Moderator David Hubbard died on July 28 at the age of 93.
“He gave many decades of service through numerous leadership roles in the town including town moderator for 25 years, 1981 to 2006,” said Letterie. “One of his proudest honors was being named town historian in 2015.”
Letterie said Hubbard had a long list of accomplishments in town, including serving as the chairman and secretary of the Winthrop Advisory Committee, president and secretary of the Winthrop Improvement and Historical Association, and town meeting member for 42 years.
“His involvement spanned various organizations, including the Winthrop Industrial Commission, Town Government Study Committee, co-author of the town meeting members handbook,” said Letterie. “Dave also served as president of the Highland School PTA, treasurer of the Dalrymple School PTA, and treasurer of the board of directors of the Cottage Park Yacht Club.”
Hubbard was also instrumental in organizing the Oceanside Big Band and Jazz festivals and was involved in local scouting. He was a 32nd degree Mason and was an active political voice as the chairperson of the Winthrop Republican Town Committee and a delegate to Massachusetts Republican Convention.
“In retirement, he devoted himself to documenting and sharing his deep love of local history,” said Letterie. “He authored several books on the history of Winthrop and published over 900 articles in the Winthrop Transcript under the column Winthrop: Then and Now. Dave shared this passion with the community, sharing talks on the history of the town of Winthrop to students in the Winthrop Public School system and the public alike.”