James Chubbuck Obituary

CHUBBUCK, James S. James S. Chubbuck 66, of Middletown, died Tuesday (September 26, 2006) at Middlesex Memorial Hospital, the hospital in which he was born. Jim leaves behind his beloved wife of 44 years Mary (Atsales) Chubbuck whom he had met while attending the University of Connecticut and children Stephanie and Charles. James was born August 3, 1940 the son of R. Daniel and Elsa (Thompson) Chubbuck. He was the younger brother of Betsey (Orlando) Chubbuck and elder brother of Pamela Chubbuck. Jim retired from the Middletown Fire Department in 1999 after 26 years of service. He was one of the first certified emergency medical technicians in the department where he championed the program believing it a necessary aspect of firefighting. After serving the Middletown community as a firefighter for 14 years James was promoted to the position of Deputy Fire Marshall. With the help of fellow firefighters George Dunn and dear friend Guy Johnson the Firefighter's Heart and Hypertension Act was created. This statewide act provides financial support for the widow of any firefighter (either active or retired) who dies from a heart attack or cardiac condition that is related to stress. His beliefs and actions leave a legacy of caring for both his fellow firefighters and his community. Jim's love of the sky led him to command several aeronautical disciplines. He was a licensed pilot of private aircraft and sailplanes, and both private and commercial hot air balloons and airships. Jim combined his hobby of flying with his love of people as often as possible. This led him and his hot air balloon to Zimbabwe Africa to raise support for their national team so that they could travel to New Haven to participate in the Special Olympics. With a team of his closest friends he traveled to many parts of the world to fly balloons and airships. Africa, Ireland, Iceland, England, and France were some of the many places that they visited, always with a desire to meet new people and share in their delight at the balloons and their new friends from America. Wherever he traveled he brought joy and his sincere love of people. He will be missed the world over. A Memorial Service will be held at South Congregational Church, 9 Pleasant St., Middletown on Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. Donations may be made to Weiss Hospice c/o Middlesex Hospital, Crescent Street, Middletown, CT 06457.

Published by Hartford Courant on Sep. 29, 2006.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for James Chubbuck

Not sure what to say?





Still missing his visits, friendship and humor...

Bobby Kuhl

Friend

September 23, 2021

I still miss the sound of Jims beloved single cylinder Aprilia pulling into my drive and the great conversations that ensued. Amazing guy, and a wonderful friend!

Bobby Kuhl

Friend

September 23, 2019

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

JIM JOHNSON

October 9, 2006

To the Chubbuck Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Mr C's passing. I have fond memories growing up on Stevens Lane of him and his caring ways. My thoughts and love goes out to all who had their hearts touched by this man.

Barbara (Schufer) LaMarr

October 7, 2006

Dear Mary, Charlie and Stephanie:

Please accept my sincere condolences for your family’s loss. I am saddened by Jim’s passing, I will miss his smile, his hearty laugh and most of all his visits. He had an uncanny knack for showing up at just the right moment to save me! Many times while gardening (also known as blasting in the New England states), just as a big rock had situated itself directly in the center of the planting, my ears would detect a putt, putt, putt, putt and I would look up to see Jim astride his single cylinder Aprilia at the end of my driveway. While I would approach him with my mind brimming with disgust for the glacial till called soil in Connecticut, I couldn’t help but smile as his helmet came off and his big grin greeted me. My mind would miraculously relax, the conversations that I cherished would begin and instantly I was in a great mood! Sometimes our interactions would take me to a foreign land, sometimes to a racetrack or a spirited reverse engineering session of the latest two-wheeled technology. It really didn’t matter what the subject was, the value was in the conversation itself.

I will miss his visits, his stories, jokes, the mischievous twinkle in his eyes and stopping by the garage to view his latest projects. I will forever cherish his friendship, memory, spirit and dignity. Godspeed Jim!

Bobby Kuhl

October 7, 2006

Dear Mary, We are all deeply sorry to hear of Jim's passing. He was a good man who lived every moment of his life to the fullest. You and your family are in our prayers. Love, Michael, Evelyn, Keith and Jaclyn

Evelyn Ambriscoe

October 5, 2006

Mary,
Pat and I are saddened to learn about the passing of Jim. He made us laugh and had such a wonderful attitude about life. We'll see you at the service Saturday. Our prayers are with you.

Bob Englehart

October 3, 2006

they say your real friends...can be counted only on one hand , my dad... bob bird...is smiling......god knows, they have alot of catching up to do. soar high...with the sun at your face, and the wind beneath your ballons.

dee "bird" connelly

October 2, 2006

Always ready to greet everyone with a smile, a hug, and a great story.
Jim, I will personally miss the laughter you brought into my life.
Thank you to Jim's family for sharing such a wonderful man. He will be missed by many.

Arlene O'Neil

October 1, 2006

Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Mary and family on their great loss. It is particularly sad for us that we are saying goodbye to Jim on the very week when Jim visted us here in Galway every year since 1984. The Ballooning, Oysters, Guinness, Ceol agus Craic will never be the same again. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Brendan, Ger & James Mulligan

October 1, 2006

The big guy with an even bigger heart. He'll be sorely missed but not forgotten.

Jim Regan

September 30, 2006

Thinker, Inventor, Fixer, Problem
Solver, Husband, Father, Friend.
A Mentor to so many.
With a twinkle in his eye he could sing a million songs, tell a million stories, and help and humor us in a million ways. Thanks a million Jim. We are so sad you had to leave us, but your memory will forever lift our spirits. Well done dear friend.
God bless!

Rodney Schabel

September 29, 2006

My sympathies are with you Mary and your family! He was such an incredible presence and always a great friend, he brought joy and laughter where ever he was. He was such a special friend when ballooning and I loved his stories when I'd visit him at the firehouse...My heart goes out to you! Sincerely, Diane

Diane Tomassetti

September 29, 2006

Please accept my deep and sincere sympathy at this most difficult time for you. Jim will be missed by all. I can recall his wit and full bodied questions and remarks at Fire Marshal in service seminars. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

Anthony Moscato

September 29, 2006

May God Bless and keep you at such a time as this. I had the pleasure of knowing Jim as a Councilman and as a volunteer for the Middletown Youth Center when he taught a class on hot air baloons to young kids. He will be missed.

John Robinson

September 29, 2006

Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlie and the entire Chubbuck family.

Central Sterile Services

September 29, 2006

Uncle Jim was a Friend to all. He taught me many things about giving. He showed us how to have fun in so many ways. When we would visit, he would have things like a hot air ballons rides in his back yard.
How Cool is that! He made a lasting imprestion on me, my wife and my children.
Love and Prayers
Erik, Myrna, Mike, Michelle, Alanna, Alison, and Daniel

Erik Bescher

September 29, 2006

Mary - Our thoughts are with you. We will miss BIG JIM - as he is fondly remembered by us "folkies". Jon especially will miss their talks. We will never forget that deep voice and the jokes that only he could tell. Please let us know if there is anything we can do.
Jon and Jan Steucek

janet and jon steucek

September 29, 2006

Mary,

We are very sorry to learn of Jim's passing. He was truly a unique character.

Soft landings always,

Dennis and Suzy Kamin

September 29, 2006

Thanks, Jim, for your contribution to the ballooning community. We will miss you!! The Connecticut Lighter Than Air Society will not be the same without you!!! I won't ever forget the special adornments inside your balloon when we tethered our balloons at the Corn Maze for Middletown's 350th Anniversary. Gentle Breezes!!

Penelope Christy

September 29, 2006

An unforgettable presence wherever he went and to the people he met along the way. I know they are raising glasses in his memory at the balloon championships in Ireland this week.

Robert Zirpolo

September 29, 2006

Jim will be missed by everyone who new him. He had a great sense of humor that will be greatly missed. Slantcha Jim. Our sincerest sympathy to his Family

Tom & Judith Doherty

September 29, 2006

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help at this time.

al noetzel

September 29, 2006

My thoughts and prayes go out to the family. Jim was a fine man and a fellow brother firefighter. God bless and rest in peace.

Jim Babek

September 29, 2006

Aunt Mary, Stephanie and Charlie,
Please know that you are in our thoughts. Best to all of you!

Cousin--Cindy and husband Eric &
Aunt Helen Bessette

Cynthia Haas (Bessette)

September 29, 2006

Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results

Make a Donation
in James Chubbuck's name

Memorial Events
for James Chubbuck

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support James's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor James Chubbuck's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more