A Service of Remembrance for the Life of Tom Hubbard
August 1, 1930—March 5, 2022
June 4, 2022 Rev. Carla Gilbert officiating
Union Church Bernardo Scarambone, Organist
Please note: masks are required at this service. Thank you.
Prelude
Welcome and Opening Prayer
Song #433 In the Bulb There Is a Flower Promise
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; there’s a dawn in every darkness bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; in our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity. In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Words © 1986 Hope Publishing Company, 380 S Main Pl, Carol Stream, IL 60188
Readings Isaiah 40:28-31
Because I Could Not Stop for Death
Stopping By Woods On a Snowy Evening
Matthew 35:31-40
Akin
Words of Remembrance
A Life in Pictures Slide Show with Music by John Courter
“Take Up Your Cross”
“Fantasia in G Major”
“Air from Suite in D Major with Saxophone”
“Prelude on Madrid and Holy Manna”
Affirmation
So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. We know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Song #591 This Is My Song Finlandia
This is my song, O God of all the nations, A song of peace for lands afar and mine. This is my home, the country where my heart is; Here are my hopes, my dreams, my holy shrine; But other hearts in other lands are beating With hopes and dreams as true and high as mine.
My country’s skies are bluer than the ocean, And sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine. But other lands have sunlight too and clover, And skies are everywhere as blue as mine. Oh, hear my song, O God of all the nations, A song of peace for their land and for mine.
Prayers of Rest and Release
Benediction
Go forth from this world
With magic tricks and Santa Clause
With Poetry, Jazz, and Classical Music
Go forth from this world
With long walks and good friends
With good books and peace-filled days and nights.
For you have brought us love.
Closing Music Wade in the Water
Tom Hubbard
August 1, 1930 ~ March 5, 2022
Tom Hubbard, a long-time and dear member of the Union Church family has died and entered a wider life, one I pray will be filled with the unfettered joy and release his mind and body were unable to sustain in these last years.
Tom died the morning of March 5th 2022, in the presence of his wife, Dorie, at Kenwood nursing home in Richmond, KY, under the attentive care of Hospice Care Plus. He was 91 years old.
Tom and Dorie first retired to Berea more than 26 years ago and began attending Union Church shortly thereafter. Though Tom never formally joined the church, but he also never missed a Sunday, a potluck, a mission program, a children’s play, or a bazaar, often laboring to bring them to fruition. A native of Minnesota, he worked as a social worker in New York City before taking a job in Chicago where he met Dorie when she worked in different branch of the same social service agency. Though they worked in other places, Illinois was home until coming to Kentucky. An avid professional magician, Tom donated his time and talent to so many Berea events .
He will also be remembered as a great Christmas Santa Claus (and you can see why!). He was an appreciator of fine music, fine poetry, and fine company with special passions for jazz, anything by organist and carillonneur, John Courter (Organist Emeritus at Union Church), and Emily Dickinson.
His interests were by no means limited to these, however, and Tom rarely missed any chance to absorb beauty in sound, sight, or print. Keenly interested in world affairs, a great traveler, and with a penchant for deep friendships with interesting characters, Tom brought color and insight to every conversation. His love of beauty extended to the love of people in our many variations. Tom actively participated in civil rights movements across his career and was an advocate for the fair and equal treatment of all people regardless of color, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, or nationality.
Truly embodying the idea that “God has made of one blood all people of the earth,” their move to Berea and Union Church was truly a gift to us all and perfectly in line with their faith and values. As some will know, these last years have not been easy ones. Tom suffered multiple cognitive declines making it increasingly impossible to read, attend events he loved, or enjoy the company of others. Physical infirmity accompanied the mental ones, and after the loving efforts to keep him safe at home were unsuccessful, his family helped him transition to nursing care in Richmond. Dorie was able to be with him much of this time due to her own rehabilitation in the same facility: a joy and a sorrow in one.
His daughters Susan and Christie and Susan’s husband Jim made frequent visits to see him and help manage affairs. All of the family are in our prayers today and for the weeks and months to come.
Tom and I spent many good hours sharing poetry (of which his knowledge was nearly encyclopedic), and I treasure the warmth and pleasure he shared over words that matter. After these last months of suffering the fetters of mind and Covid, and decline, I am holding my friend in the light, the wild light of Wild Nights. May he be done with sorrows and done with restraints, and moor deep in the wild, wild love.
—Rev. Kent Gilbert
We remember Tom and his passions fondly. His was a loving husband, a generous dad and a great friend to all who knew him.
Although he has died, those ideas and people he cared about will continue to celebrate him in many ways.