Happy 100th Birthday, Don Hubert!

Belated birthday wishes go out to former Berlin resident Don Hubert who turned 100 on September 26, 2012.

Hubert lived on Hudson Street in Berlin from 1953 to 1983. He and his wife, Mary Kate, who passed away in 1999, raised four children there--Don, Jr., Alice, Dean, and Charles, who still lives in Kensington.

Hubert came to Berlin to teach industrial arts at Berlin High, a job he held for 21 years before retiring in 1973. He was also a longtime member of the Berlin Congregational Church choir.

In his 100 years, Hubert has witnessed some special moments in history. Born in Westbury, N.Y., he rode his bicycle to Curtiss Field at age 15 to watch Charles Lindberg practice takeoffs in The Spirit of St. Louis. During the Depression, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and traveled to the West Coast to build fire towers, getting paid $1 a day. He also took part in the battle of Normandy on D Day—June 6, 1944.

Today, Hubert lives in a retirement village in Cromwell. He still plays the piano, a lifelong passion. His hobbies include restoring player pianos and caning chairs.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Hubert!

If you are a student, friend or family member who has a special memory of Don Hubert, please share it in the comments.