Howard J. Hubbard: Former Albany bishop dies at 84

Howard Hubbard was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, and a former bishop of the Diocese of Albany in New York (1977 to 2014).

Hubbard was born on October 31, 1938, in Troy, New York, United States.

As a young man, he attended St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, New York, where he earned a degree in Philosophy degree.

He also attended the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.

Hubbard was ordained to the priesthood in 1963 and became bishop of the Diocese of Albany by Pope Paul VI in 1977. At the time, he was the youngest bishop in the country.

After serving the church in various capacities, Hubbard resigned officially in 2014, and was succeeded by Bishop Edward Scharfenberger.

In 2015, Hubbard suffered a heart attack and a stroke.

Hubbard is remembered for the cliche “rejoice, we are God’s people.”

Hubbard passed away on August 19, 2023, after suffering another stroke. He was aged 84.