Joseph Dubuc

JOSEPH A. DUBUC, A “Movie Star” smile, unforgettable blue eyes, unparalleled wit, athletics devotee, loving husband and parent are the attributes that best describe this man whose life ended on the 17th of January 2014. Joe was born in Springfield, MA, on the 3rd of March 1957. He attended Cathedral High School, excelling both academically and in mid-distance running. During his high school running tenure, he made lifelong and devoted friends who often traveled to Houston from Massachusetts to be by his side during his long battle with Leukemia.

Joe’s running talent earned him a scholarship to Lowell Technological Institute, where he continued to excel at the 800 meter distance. He later graduated from Western New England College where he played on the tennis team. The running scholarship and tennis were building blocks to a lifetime passion for athletics and all who knew Joe can agree that his next workout was always around the corner. In his 20’s and 30’s Joe was famous for his “two a day” workouts, often combining running and swimming or running and biking and all the while racing against a personal best clock with a passion to excel.

In 1986, during an evening run in Memorial Park, he met the woman who would become the love of his life, Patricia (Patty) Bender, also a devoted runner. Mr. “Blue Eyes” won her over instantly and they were married a year later. During their 26 years of marriage, Memorial Park held a special place in their lives and hearts as they spent many hours with family and friends availing themselves of the diverse amenities the park has to offer.

The fruits of their marriage and devotion to each other are their two daughters, Rachel Dubuc of Portland, OR, and Joanna Dubuc a student at Texas Tech. Joe’s eyes danced whenever their names were mentioned.

If Joe wasn’t with his family or working on real estate, he was on the road riding 200+ miles a week and loving it! During the past ten years, he will certainly be remembered for his road racing acumen and in particular, his participation in the USA cycling competitions.

Joe’s approach to working out was exactly the same way he approached his cancer. Every day of his 19 month battle, Joe approached his cancer treatment like an athlete, tackling the chemo treatments, both routine and highly experimental, as if they were a workout in which he needed to perform at his personal best. Thanks to the fine treatment at MD Anderson, family and friends were able to enjoy many additional months of quality time with Joe. A particularly impressive example of his stamina and kindness was his ability to undergo two highly experimental procedures with the recognition that the research would help future patients in the years to come.

Joe and his family were so proud of his real estate career that spanned both national and Houston success. In 1979, Joe matriculated to Houston from Springfield where he established a successful career in Real Estate. He cut his teeth at Birtcher Wadsworth learning the industrial real estate business and then joined Grubb & Ellis for 5 years focusing on shopping center management. He later joined Jose Gross, president and founder of Gross Langton, where he focused on Shopping Center management, marketing and leasing. He later joined Insignia ESG and enjoyed a long tenure there in his leadership roles as National Retail Leasing Director and Director of Business Development. Joe’s most recent Real Estate position was Director of Tanglewood Property Corporation, based here in Houston. Joe’s lifetime of passion for real estate was apparent in his desire to continue his education. He earned and held both the C.P.M. and C.S.M. designations, recognized by IREM and ICSC.

Joe was a “family first and foremost” man who loved and guided his daughters through life’s joys and challenges. Joe was also a faithful friend, always supportive, available and eager to help those that he cared for. He leaves behind his two daughters, Rachel Dubuc and Joanna Dubuc, and is survived by his wife Patricia (Patty) Bender. He is also survived by his parents, Mary and Joseph Dubuc of Agawam, MA, his sister, Kathleen King of Nashville, TN and his brother Michael Dubuc of Seattle, WA., as well as many cousins, aunts and uncles who live in the MA area.

A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at two o’clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 25th of January in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive, in Houston. Immediately following all are invited to greet the family in a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer. A separate family event will be held in Springfield, MA.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions (in honor of Joseph A. Dubuc) may be directed to The Leuekemia and Lymphoma Society (Texas Gulf Coast), 5433 Westheimer Rd., Ste. 300, Houston, TX, 77056 or to the Memorial Park Conservancy, (Sponsor a Sapling Program), 6501 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas, 77007.