Joe Hubbard leaves legacy of compassion and dedication to Belleville and beyond
The metro-east community is still coming to terms with the loss of local "saint" as Joe Hubbard was affectionately known as.
The man who served his community for over six decades died Sept. 10 at the age of 82. There are two visitations scheduled for community members to honor his memory on Sept. 22 with a funeral Mass scheduled for Sept. 23.
Hubbard was always just a call away for anyone who needed a helping hand, including reporters and editors at the Belleville News-Democrat. We dived into our archive to reflect on the legacy of a pillar of our community.
Each story underscored his compassion for community service, especially helping those most in need.
Joe Hubbard wasn't shy about sharing about his own personal life as well including when he wed his longtime companion and friend Julie Llamas.
His work with Catholic Urban Programs spanned 40 years, marking his commitment to aiding single mothers and individuals in need.
The Salvation Army in Belleville honored him with an award, acknowledging his decades of service, and he was recognized by the BASIC Initiative as a "Citizen of Character."
Read more about Joe Hubbard in the stories below from the BND archives:
NO. 1: ‘HAPPY TO HELP’: MAN DIES COLD AND HOMELESS IN BELLEVILLE, BUT WILL GET A PROPER FUNERAL
Randy Glore died cold and alone. | Published April 4, 2015 | Read Full Story
NO. 2: THIS BELLEVILLE COUPLE HAS BEEN TOGETHER 40 YEARS. NOW THEY’VE FINALLY TIED THE KNOT.
Joe Hubbard never had time to get married. | Published June 24, 2018 | Read Full Story by Teri Maddox
NO. 3: CITIZENS OF CHARACTER TO BE HONORED IN BELLEVILLE
These are the people make “a positive difference in the community and enhance the quality of life in Belleville.” | Published November 12, 2018 | Read Full Story by Mike Koziatek
NO. 4: SALVATION ARMY IN BELLEVILLE LAUNCHES NEW EFFORT TO HELP HOMELESS PERSONS
The Sanctuary offers a place to get a hot meal, escape the heat and get counseling. | Published June 17, 2021 | Read Full Story by Mike Koziatek
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.