Raymond Hubbell

Some men go through life single-minded in purpose, so driven to succeed they never stop to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Ray Hubbell certainly wasn't one of them. Ray was a good man, with a great life, a life full of fun, friendship and most of all, family. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and a loyal friend to so many. Most of all, Ray Hubbell was a man you were proud to say you knew. Ray's story began on a hot summer day in 1926, in the Motor City capital of Detroit, Michigan. Those were such exciting times in this country, during the heyday of the Roaring 20s, when jazz and big bands were king, and Prohibition was the law of the land. There was so much to celebrate in 1926, especially for Percy and Ethel (Ferguson) Hubbell, who celebrated the birth of their first child on August 24, a son they named Raymond Harry Hubbell. Ray was joined by his younger brothers Richard and Thomas in the family's home, which was relocated to Muskegon Heights, Michigan where his dad worked as a machinist for Continental Motors. The elder Hubbell was very active in the civil air patrol, while his mother took care of the kids and was active in the Red Cross. Ray's parents provided him with a loving, supportive home, and encouraged their children in many pursuits. Ray's dad got him interested in music at an early age, and Ray learned to play the piano as well as the steel guitar, and became a gifted musician. Ray attended Muskegon Heights schools, and graduated from Muskegon Heights High School just as the dark clouds of World War II reached our shores. Like so many brave young men, Ray enlisted in the service, joining the U.S. Marines. He was stationed in the San Diego area, however, and never saw combat. He actually enjoyed his Marine life, and even played guitar in a local band called "Eddie Way and his Westerners." After he was discharged, Ray returned home to Muskegon, where he found a job at Northwestern Auto Supply. He had always enjoyed cars, and was very good at fixing them, too, so it was a perfect job for him. One day Ray met a beautiful young woman named Mable Davis, who was working in the tool crib at Continental Motors on Getty Street. He summoned the courage to ask her out, and they quickly began dating. Ray also became involved in auto racing in those days, and raced all over on Michigan's dirt tracks, including Marne, Whiskey Ridge and Spencer, just to name a few. His beloved Mable would go to the races and cheer on her boyfriend, worrying during his many crashes, yet thrilled at his victories, too! Ray and Mable soon had fallen in love, and were married on February 19, 1949. The newlyweds got a little house on Cutler Avenue in the Lakeside neighborhood, and Ray got a job at the Continental Motors plant downtown, the last place he would ever work, retiring when the plant closed in 1990. After they were married a few years and got settled, Ray and Mable started their family. From 1949 to 1956, they were blessed with five boys; Thomas, Andrew, Robert, William and Michael, who filled their lives with so much happiness (and maybe a few gray hairs) over the years. In addition to raising the boys, Mable also continued to work at her job, too. With their boys growing leaps and bounds, Ray and Mable bought a home at 827 West Forest Avenue in Muskegon. It was a huge, beautiful home originally built by one of Muskegon's lumber barons, and perfect for a family with five boys. Ray nicknamed it "The Big House," and it held so many wonderful memories for them over the years. The Big House was a fun, vibrant atmosphere, and the site of so many Sunday dinners and Holiday gatherings. Ray and Mable loved to entertain, and Ray would play the piano and he would sing for everyone. On weekend nights there was usually a big bowl of popcorn, beer for the adults and pop for the kids. The Big House had an open door for friends and family, and you'd always hear Ray say "Buy you a beer" when you walked in to socialize or watch TV. Ray was a very social guy with many friends, and was a longtime member of the Muskegon Eagles, where he had so many good times with his buddies. Family always came first with Ray, though. Ray and his family did so much together over the years, and every summer they all piled into the station wagon and headed off on a two-week vacation to one of the National Parks, or other sights around the country. Ray loved to travel, and over the years he visited all 50 states! The family also owned a 23-foot cabin cruiser boat named the "Maybelle", which they enjoyed so much together. The Hubbells spent so many sunny summer days cruising up and down the Lake Michigan shoreline together. Ray had many other hobbies, including a large collection of model trains. Every Christmas Ray decorated The Big House so elaborately, complete with a model train going through the house and around the tree. Ray was also passionate about genealogy, and was a member of the Hubbell Family Historical Society, which had traced the family roots in this country all the way back to 1610! Ray and Mable also traveled around the country searching cemeteries for information on his relatives. Ray and Mable traveled all over together after he retired, and nearly always drove. Ray once put 340,000 miles on a Volkswagen Rabbit! He was always handy enough to keep it running, but an auto accident later in life left Ray pretty banged up, and after that he and Mable took trips by plane more often. Of course, as much as he loved to travel, Ray was just as content to be at home, opening The Big House up to his kids and grandkids. Ray even converted the basement of the house into an apartment, where several of his sons lived for awhile after they got married. When his grandchildren arrived, Ray was especially thrilled, and loved those kids so dearly. He enjoyed hoisting them upon his shoulders, carting them around the house, as they laughed and patted his bald head! They also loved to sit next to him on the piano bench and help their Granddad play. Sadly, the day came when they had to leave their home of 48 years and moved into assisted living. Ray enjoyed it there, and would sometimes sit at the piano and entertain the other residents. That was Ray, though, so beloved wherever he went. Sadly, Ray died Friday, March 2, 2007. Ray was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of fun, friendship and especially family. He was a devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, and a loyal friend to so many. Most of all, Ray Hubbell was a man who lived, and loved, his life to the fullest. He will be so greatly missed. Ray is survived by his wife, Mable; 4 sons, Thomas L. (Nancy) Hubbell of Lapeer, MI, Robert S. Hubbell of St. Louis, MI, Dr. William J. (Mary Ann) Hubbell of Virginia Beach, VA, Michael R. (Terri) Hubbell of Grand Haven, MI; daughter-in-law, Aretta Hubbell; 2 brothers, Richard Hubbell of Ravenna, Thomas C. (Dian) Hubbell of Spring Lake, MI; 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Andrew P. Hubbell. Services are scheduled for Thursday, March 8, 2007, 11:00 AM at Clock Chapel. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Visitation is Wednesday, 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. MEMORIAL: American Cancer Society. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Ray, or to sign the online guestbook.