Wesley Wubbenhorst

In Loving Memory of Wesley Wubbenhorst May 5, 1953-March 15, 2016 Wes was passionate about his family, friends and ministries. He gave his love freely to all he met on his journey through life. Our family and friends would like to share a (very abbreviated) description of Wes’ life passions; Family: Wes and his three brothers; Jeffrey, John, and William were lovingly raised by their mother Arvilla and father Bill in Rowayton, Ct. He was devoted to his family. He and his wife Vivienne are the proud parents of 5 wonderful children. -Jessica and Ciaran Finn and sweet baby Eloise in Laurel MD -Jacob and Riane Wubbenhorst in Raleigh, NC -Sara W. and Mike Spahr in Wheaton, MD -Gabrielle Wubbenhorst in Annapolis, MD -Michael Wubbenhorst in Seattle, WA. King School Wes loved and lived for King School in Stamford, CT, where he graduated in 1971. Upbeat and forever optimistic, he was beloved by classmates for his authenticity and his infectious smile. Wes' great passion was sports and when injury forced him out of football, he joined the cheerleaders at neighboring Low Heywood girls’ school, making history as the most energetic (indeed the only) male on the squad. He starred as Lennie in Of Mice and Men, and did guerrilla theater too, memorably in a Sherlock Holmes stunt that New Canaan Baskin-Robbins lovers will never forget. He edited King's yearbook and left as senior quote this lasting truth: "What is the worth of anything 'cept for HAPPINESS twill bring." The many friends Wes made, and touched, can still hear his voice clearly, and remember him as the best of the Class of '71. Lafayette College Wes was Lafayette’s biggest fan and cheerleader. Go Pards! He graduated in 1976. While there, he was a real cheerleader and was also the Leopard mascot. He was President of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Wes made life long friends there who gathered every year for the Lafayette-Lehigh Football game. Sports Wes enjoyed playing (and beating his younger brothers) in any and all sports. He was on the lacrosse, basketball and football teams at King School, and his athletic career culminated with a stint on the Honduran semi-professional basketball team “Los Rapidos.” Wes rooted passionately for the Yankees, Knicks and Jets (J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets!). Although he enjoyed watching his favorite teams, his passion and energy were more often spent out in the backyard playing a game of wiffle-ball, shooting hoops in the driveway, hustling an unsuspecting friend in a game of pool, or unleashing his competitiveness in a sometimes not-so-friendly game of croquet. Special Education Wes received his Masters degree in Special Education from Fordham University, NY. He worked at Hallen School in Mamaroneck NY, followed by teaching a self-contained class of teen boys with challenging behavior in the Stamford, CT, public schools. Episcopal Camp and Conference Center Wes considered ECCC (Incarnation Camp) truly sacred grounds. He savored every summer working at Pioneer Village with teens, and then living fulltime at the camp while serving as Chaplain. Many enduring friendships were forged during camp years! Peace Corps What a pivotal, life changing experience our two years serving with the Peace Corps in Honduras was for the both of us and our first child, Jessica, was born during our time in the Peace Corps. It was during his years in the Peace Corps that Wes first connected with the Episcopal Home for Boys in Tegucigalpa, El Hogar de Amor Y Esperanza. Ministry When Wes returned from working with the Peace Corps in Honduras he attended Virginia Theological Seminary. Following seminary Wes served on the support staff of the Episcopal Church Foundation in New York City. He was ordained in 1989 and began his ministry as chaplain and assistant director of the Episcopal Camp and Conference Center in Ivoryton, CT (1990 to 1994). Following ECCC, Wes became the Associate Rector at Grace Church, Madison NJ and later at St. Margaret’s, in Annapolis, MD. Wes served as the diocesan youth minister in Maryland for ten years. His last call was to be interim Rector at Christ Church, Port Republic, MD, and by all accounts, it was a match made in heaven. It was a time of joy and growth for both priest and parishioners. The parish loved and supported Wes through cancer treatments and was blessed by his joy and enthusiasm for life. Domestic Violence Prevention In 2004 Wes received federal grant funding to support his work around domestic violence and created a non-profit interfaith organization to carry out this work. The Domestic Violence Interfaith Coalition (DVICM) was established to support and educate clergy of all denominations on the dynamics associated with DV so they could more effectively support victims within their congregations. DVICM developed a curriculum that Wes delivered on several occasions throughout Maryland titled: “Healing Hearts, Having Hope”: Creating Partnerships: Empowering Faith Communities to Help Victims of Domestic Violence. Mission Trips to Honduras Wes led his first group of teens on a mission trip to El Hogar de Amor Y Esperanza in Honduras over 20 years ago when he was serving as Associate Rector at Grace Church. He continued organizing these throughout his time at St. Margaret’s and at the Diocese. He did not miss a year, despite a coup in the country, until he became ill a year ago.