Elbert G. Hubbard

Elbert G. Hubbard NORFOLK - Elbert G. Hubbard died Jan. 19, 2009, in a local hospital. Mr. Hubbard was born in Norfolk, Feb. 2, 1927, the son of the late Benjamin Arthur Hubbard and Josephine Owen Hubbard. After graduating from Granby High, he served his country in World War II, he was the chairman and owner of Oil Equipment Sales and Service with 61 years of service to the company. Mr. Hubbard was a proud member of the Tidewater Virginia ASA Hall of Fame as a dedicated sponsor and a member of the American Legion for many years. To try and capture a man's lifetime in a few short words does not, nor cannot, do justice. To know Elbert Hubbard, affectionately known as "Big E" to those lucky ones, is to know a person that had the most giving and caring heart of but a few people in this world. His giving was not just to his family, but because of his position in the business community - his giving reached far beyond those that saw him everyday. The countless people that worked for him, with him or knew him were better people - and so his goodness passed on. His giving, caring and honest approach to life were valuable lessons to all that met him or bettered themselves because of him. If Elbert Hubbard did not help you with gifts or words of advice, he sure would tell you that you were doing it wrong and you better try it another way, most likely his way. Don't let the physical passing of "Big E" diminish the good he brought to this world. Let it be the beginning of keeping him in your thoughts and remember how you were blessed by knowing him and the lessons he taught you. The station a man achieves in life should never be measured by the things he has, but instead by the friends he keeps. The love and support that has been coming forth over the last few days truly indicates what a rich man, in life, "Big E" was. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Madeline Ciola Hubbard; his daughter, Denise Hubbard Matchen and her husband James of Norfolk; his son, Charles B. Hubbard of Chesapeake; his son, Arthur G. Hubbard and his wife Vanessa of Virginia Beach; his daughter, Maryjo Hubbard Shockley and her husband Rick of West Palm Beach, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Glenn and Kara Matchen, Aubrey, Lexie and Carter Hubbard, Ricky, Chris and Alex Shockley. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Benjamin Arthur Hubbard and his wife Mary Elizabeth Hubbard and several nieces and nephews. He was a kind and generous husband, father and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all. A funeral will be conducted Saturday at 11 a.m. in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk Chapel, by the Rev. Richard Goodman from Thalia Trinity Presbyterian. Burial will follow in Saint Mary's Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the funeral home. Condolences can be made at www.hdoliver.com.