Harold LeRoy Stubbs

1918 - 2016

NORTHAMPTON - Harold LeRoy Stubbs of Northampton, formerly of Sharon, died peacefully Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at home. He was 98.

Born July 27, 1918, in Newport, Rhode Island, he was raised in Scarsdale, New York, graduating as valedictorian of the high school class of 1935. He graduated from Harvard University in 1939 with a mathematics major, and worked as an actuarial clerk and student at Metropolitan Life in New York City before entering military service.

In World War II, he served as weather officer in the U.S. Army Air Forces, following a meteorology training program at New York University. Stationed first in California, he then spent two years in the Southwest Pacific at 5th Air Force Headquarters in New Guinea and the Philippines, being discharged in 1945 with the rank of Major. He married Lucille Frances Benedetti on Nov. 16, 1945.

His remaining career was on the faculty of Northeastern University, first as instructor in mathematics, while completing a master's degree at Teachers College, Columbia; then research associate while obtaining a doctorate at Boston University in mathematical statistics. For 11 years he was chairman of the mathematics department, then Robert G. Stone Professor until his retirement in 1983. He co-authored a mathematics textbook, Functions and Algebra.

His community activities in Sharon included serving as chairman of the Transportation Advisory Board, the Council on Aging, and the Friends of the Council on Aging; and as Sharon's representative on the MBTA Advisory Board, and as a weekly Meals on Wheels driver. He designed and built an energy-efficient home with his wife, Lucille. He enjoyed yearly vacations on Cape Cod, camping trips in the U.S., and trips to Europe with his family. He later spent time in Italy with his wife, a sculptor.

In retirement years he was active in the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement and later in the similar Five-College program. His main recreational interests were tennis, contract bridge, and playing the piano.

He leaves his beloved wife Lucille B. Stubbs; daughter Susan Stubbs; son-in-law Barry Goldstein; daughter V. Mahi Swan of Northampton; grandson Robin Stubbs Goldstein and partner Jing Yang of Oakland, California, and Xiamen, China; and granddaughter Rosemary Stubbs Goldstein, partner Eraun Dugger, and great-grandson Azai Dugger of Northampton.

A memorial celebration will be held Sunday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m. at the World War II Club, 50 Conz St., Northampton.

Donations may be made to Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice: http://www.cooley-dickinson.org/giving/vna-hospice-giving/, or by mail Cooley Dickinson Hospital, P.O. Box 329, Northampton, MA 01061-0329.

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