When the Good Die Young — In Memory of Colin Hubbell
Posted on 22. Aug, 2008 by Karen in Death and Dying, Family and Friends
This morning my cell phone rang as I was getting out of the shower. I grabbed a towel and run downstairs to grab the call. Missed it. Then as I headed back upstairs, my house phone started ringing–more running. Missed it again. When my cell phone jangled again I beat the voicemail and got the call. It was my sister trying to reach me to tell me, before I heard it elsewhere, that my friend Colin Hubbell died last night.
The best way I can describe Colin is that he was this amazingly good person. We met through our respective jobs years ago and became friends, in part, because we both believed that Detroit, the city we grew up in and loved was making a comeback. For years, if there was brainstorming and planning about how the city could revitalize, Colin was part of the mix. He had a vision and a talent for turning dream into action.
Some years after we met, I moved into one of the first successful loft developments in Detroit and found Colin already there with his development office in one of the ground floor units. (That’s our building in this picture). In good weather or bad, you’d see Colin whiz into the neighborhood on his bike — which he rode miles to and from work in good weather and bad. He’d disappear into the loft, change and emerge ready to tackle issues standing in the way of creative housing for those who love the excitement of urban living.
But then, Colin was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Like other challenges in his life, he met this one head on and sought the most aggressive treatment. The last time I saw him he was waiting to hear if his cancer had recurred. Although he gave me his broad confident smile, I sensed that Colin already knew what the answer was.
Colin Hubbell, visionary leader, wonderful husband and loving father of four died at age 49. I don’t know about you but at this point in my midlife that’s just far too young for a good guy to die.
He will be missed.
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20 Responses to “When the Good Die Young — In Memory of Colin Hubbell”
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Dan Piepszowski
22. Aug, 2008
Karen,
Thank you for this piece on our good friend!!
Call me please,, 313-689-0171
Jan
22. Aug, 2008
Oh, Karen. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. He sounds like a wonderful person.
Peter
22. Aug, 2008
Colin was my cousin. The same age. We even went to grade school together. So this news, though not entirely unexpected, hit me like a sucker punch. My first reaction was primal anger which graduated into profound disappointment for his immediate family and also for myself. Though we spent very little time together as adults, I always walked away from my interactions with Colin like a kid who got a quarter from his grandfather. When I received the news, I knew- no more of Colin’s quarters. He had a ridiculous laugh, a trademark really, but it was so genuine and came from his very depths that it pulled you along. So did his wit and intelligence and most importantly his profound decency. My prayers are for his wife and children. He was such a huge soul and what a void he leaves for them. My great confidence is that he left them a long lifetime’s worth of quarters and that the Lord will receive him with open arms as the Irish Tzadik he was.
Karen
22. Aug, 2008
Dan–it’s so good to hear from you but I hate that it’s under such sad circumstances. After I heard about Colin’s death today, I was just so sad that writing this piece allowed me to focus on the good that he leaves behind instead of his absence. I’ll call you this weekend.
Karen
Jan–thanks for your sweet concern. Colin was such a wonderful person. I’m glad you made time to read about him.
Karen
Peter–I’m so sorry for the loss of your cousin. As I read your words, I can almost hear Colin’s laugh–yes I remember it. You’re so right when you say that “it came from his very depths. He truly had a beautiful soul and I like to think that this is the part of him that’s still with us–along with the great memories. Thanks so much for sharing yours here. I hope it brings you some comfort to know that you’ve given a little of Colin back to the world in your comments. Peace.
Karen
Molly Mason
23. Aug, 2008
Karen–My brother Peter put it well. My sister Cara and I were talking about Colin yesterday. She remembered that, when we were very small children, Colin was always looking out for her and me at our family gatherings. There were sometimes 15 cousins and friends together and the older boys could get pretty rambunctious. I don’t have as good a sense of that time period as my older siblings. However, I can tell you that during my teenage struggles, Colin never shied away from asking the hard and uncomfortable questions, never withheld affection or encouragement despite my less-than-stellar behavior and never walked away from an encounter without leaving me better than he found me. I see from the other posts that this was his trademark. His is an amazing spirit. Thanks for blog.
Molly
Ann
23. Aug, 2008
Karen,
I heard yesterday as well and it just hit me so hard. Had to step out of a meeting when the text came through to get my composure.
What a truly wonderful human being Colin was and this area and world will miss him so much. Somehow I think he’ll be watching over all of us and Detroit for some time. Will miss his trademark huge hugs and ready smile.
Ann
Celeste
23. Aug, 2008
Karen:
What can I possibly say other than “Why in HELL hasn’t the cure been found yet for this sickness. Your friend was much
to young.
Celeste
paul
23. Aug, 2008
karen,
thanks for this wonderful piece on a very good person. he and his brothers were my closest friends growing up in north rosedale park. colin was one of the most optimistic people i have ever met in my life. as a freshman in high school, it was so cool that he would acknowledge me being a bigshot junior that he was. those are the little things that made colin endearing. the world lost a good man.
paul
Wendy
24. Aug, 2008
I worked with Colin for a short time at Crosswinds. Detroit has lost a wonderful visionary.
Karen
25. Aug, 2008
Molly, Ann, Celeste, Paul and Wendy–
Thanks to all of you for taking time away from your grief over Colin’s death to share memories here of what a special person he was. And Celeste, I agree that a cure for cancer is so overdue.
Karen
William Quinn
27. Aug, 2008
I just came back from his funeral, very nice man.
So sad to see him go
Robyn Ussery
27. Aug, 2008
I’m at a loss for words…Colin (or “Ky” as my family and friends knew him) was an old friend of mine. We go back over 20 years, but whenever we saw each other (The Dalley, roaming the U.C.C.A., various festival, just rollin’ around the “D”…etc…) it was always as if it were only yesterday… MAN… I have so many pictures and memories…
Where are we going, and why are we in this handbasket?
Detroit has brand new unfillable hole in it.
I will miss you, Ky. I loved you the first day I met you. We all did.
I don’t think I got 2 share with you that I’m a Grandmother now…
“Da F*#K…?” (Gran’Girl was named for me and calls me “Nonni”) nor did I get 2 tell you that “Little” Tammy Bully was my DOCTOR!!! I struggle not to call her “Dr. Baby Tammy”! She’s great!
The Ussery Clan is praying for your safe passage to the Ancestors. May you be greeted with the same warmth you shared with those you cared for.
Your Home Team Forever
Peace,
Robyn Ussery
Eric C.
28. Aug, 2008
Karen,
A tragic loss. Colin (and you) had a profound impact on my life. The two of you literally changed the course of my life, igniting that latent passion to see Detroit reborn. As sad as Colin’s passing was, the fact that I got to reconnect with you – and so many others – was a tribute to Colin’s legacy. The love of the City, the desire to connect people, the hope that people would embrace – not just a city – but a community in a huge Colin-esque hug, is what I’ll remember about our friend.
Now, the most fitting tribute is to live a little bit like Colin everyday. Peace and Love. That’s how he closed every e-mail. That’s what he lived everyday. He lived his faith.
God help me to do the same.
Eric
Trish Hubbell
03. Sep, 2008
Hi all:
I just read all of your wonderful comments about my dear husband Colin. I met Colin 24 years ago and we were married for almost 22 years. He was the most remarkable man I ever met. He loved me unconditionally and I feel forever blessed by his confidence in me, his love, support, and crazy optimism. Although my heart aches and I know I will miss him every day for the rest of my life, I feel like the luckiest woman on earth. He gave me four beautiful children and a loving partnership. What a gift he was to me, his family, and the greater community. He is embedded in my heart and I will carry his spirit with me forever.
Trish Hubbell
Karen
04. Sep, 2008
Trish—
I just read your comment to everyone who responded to my humble musings about Colin at Midlife’s A Trip. Your remarks here, as at the service, touch all of us deeply. As I watched the comments being posted, I think I realized that sharing our feelings about Colin’s death helped us deal with it—in some very small measure. I know it was that way for me. And I hope reading how much others cared about him shines a little light into your life during these dark times.
Thank you so very much Trish for sharing him with us.
Karen
04. Sep, 2008
Eric–
Thanks so much for sharing how Colin helped bring us all together around revitalizing Detroit. Maybe we can keep moving his dream into action. It was good seeing you.
Peace and Love,
Karen
Karen
04. Sep, 2008
William and Robin–Thanks so much for being part of this ongoing dialog about Colin and the light he brought into all of our lives.
Karen
lana
03. Dec, 2008
This is Alana, Colins daighter, I am soo grateful that my dad cam into this world, he lived a short life, but it contained more than your average person. I am happy to see all of the webpages about him, and all of the people who have been so extremely great. I want to thank everyone who has carried out my fathers dream, he was a man of great character an morals. I think that if everyone in this city can work together, it can be revitialized. If my dad could do it, you can to! He was the best man I knew, the most kind loving father on this Earth, and I want you to know, any thing you do to help this city, is hgelping me and my family. I have as much faith in Detroit as my daddy did, and I hope you can learn to have that kind of neverending faith too!
–Thank you,
Alana
Karen
09. Dec, 2008
Alana–thanks so much for stopping by and sharing memories of your dad. He was one of my favorite people and an inspiration to me on that lesson of faith that he taught you about.
I know these are hard times for you but if I can pass one thing along it’s this. My dad died about 6 years ago but I still see his smile in my mind’s eye. He had a gap between his front teeth and a sense of humor that could make you laugh so hard you’d cry. When I get sad about missing him, I think of his smile.
Pick something about your dad that brings a smile to your heart and remember that when you are missing him.
It’s an honor to have you visit here, Alana. Stop by again.
Peace.
Karen
Kelsey
14. Dec, 2008
This is Kelsey — Colin’s other daughter… reading these things is both breaking my heart and filling it with joy. The past four months have flown by, and with such a busy lifestyle, as well as my fear of facing the pain of losing my dad has left me virtually no time to grieve. Now that I am taking the time to face this terrible event, it is hitting me hard. I miss every single thing about my dad. I miss his obnxious laugh, his unnecessary hand gestures, I miss the stories he used to tell me as kids, I miss his ugly bike and bandanas, I miss the trips we used to go on, I miss his stupid stories, I miss his guitar, I miss his car, I miss the way he smelled, I miss going places and taking forever to leave because he knew every single person there, I miss his voice, I miss scratching his back, I miss him failing miserably at half court shots, I miss his scars, I miss camping, I miss the way he would yell at my brothers and then smile at me, I miss his text messages and emails, I miss everything everyday.
I am so proud to be a Hubbell. I have so much to be thankful for, and I am truly blessed to call Colin my dad. It kills me that he won’t see me graduate college or get married. He won’t see my children or my neices and nephews. But I thank God every day for giving me 19 solid years with the most amazing man I will ever know.
No one compares and I don’t expect anyone that didn’t know him to understand how amazing he truly was. Every kid thinks their dad is great, but my dad would have been great whether he was my dad or not.
I miss him terribly and I hope I can be half the person he was.
Kelsey.