Parents Remember Cory Hubbard: 'He Was A Wonderful Young Man'

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — Monday marked eight years since Westhampton Beach High School graduate Cory Hubbard lost his life in 2014 after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver while away at college. This week, his parents, Ralph and Holly Hubbard reflected on his forever legacy — and how his deep and innate love and concern for others shines on in the good work done in his memory.

Ralph Hubbard said recently, Cory's good friend Pete Detore — now a coach at the Westhampton Beach High School, the school he and Cory attended — "gave a beautiful tribute to Cory as he addressed the wrestlers at the Cory Hubbard Duals wrestling tournament. He also used Cory's death at the hands of a drunk driver as a teachable moment," he said.

As parents who have lost a child, Ralph said: "It is very heartwarming to hear people sharing memories of our child. All parents love to hear people say good things about their children."

Ralph said he and Holly have been overwhelmed with an outpouring of love in their son's honor. "We have been very fortunate. Cory's number 12 has been given to football and lacrosse players who demonstrate good character. Each year he is remembered at the Cory Hubbard Duals."

In addition, the Live Your Cor Foundation, created by the Hubbards to carry on Cory's spirit of lending a hand to others in need, and the Inlet2Inlet event, are able to help people in his honor "and create an opportunity to share Cory stories," Ralph said.

In his 22 years, Cory was able to make a forever and positive impact on scores of people, Ralph added. "We miss him every day. One of his friends said, 'I'm glad I knew him before he became bigger than life.'"

Cory, his father said, "was a wonderful young man. As his parents, we knew he was a good person. We never imagined the far-reaching impact he had on people."

And yet, despite the love and support of a community that's buoyed the family during their darkest hours, the ache of missing their boy is eternal.

"As nice as all of these tributes to Cory are, we would love to go back to the days when we took him for granted," Ralph said. "Our children may drive you crazy at times but they are truly a gift to be cherished. Thanks to Cory, we are reminded that our actions can have far reaching effects that we never anticipate."

Days after they heard the most heartbreaking news any parent could ever have to bear in 2014, Cory Hubbard's mother and father reflected on his beautiful life.

"He was a very special boy," his mother, Holly Hubbard said. "He was fun, easygoing, the life of the party. He always seemed to have a smile, and was always joking."

Friends and family were devastated to learn that Cory, a student at the University of Maryland, died after he was struck by a hit-and-run driver.

Friends from near and far have reached out, then and now, to share with his parents the impact that the young man made on their lives.

"He was put here to make people's lives better, to give love and take love. That was his role, God's mission for him. And we're so lucky to have had him,"Ralph said.

Their son, Hubbard said, loved to travel and enjoyed family trips to national parks across the country, including Zion and Bryce National Parks, the Rocky Mountains and the Bandelier Monument in New Mexico, exploring the mesas where pueblo cliff dwellers once lived.

"We were touring these ancient civilizations in the United States and he was this little kid, climbing on rocks," his dad remembered.

The young man took his penchant for travel and pursued it as a young college student, seeing Alaska, and spending a semester in Australia and traveling to New Zealand, his father said.

"He said it was the trip of a lifetime," Hubbard remembered, his voice breaking with grief. "He was his inquisitive self. He always loved to travel."

Scores of friends shared their memories of their son, an athlete, a scholar, and a kind-hearted young man who touched the lives of so many.

"His college roommates were interviewed and said he was a peacekeeper," Holly said. "He was the one always keeping everyone in check, as a lacrosse goalie, the one that gave everyone support on the field."

The Hubbards said they and their eldest son Kyle want to thank the community for the tremendous outpouring of love they've received in the years since Cory's death.

"We are just blown away, by the amount of support and kindness. Everyone wants to do something. It's unbelievable. It's just a shame it has to come in the face of tragedy," she said.

The Hubbards have received emails from all across the country from friends who traveled with their son.

"One friend told us that Cory was such a great guy. He taught him how to be confident, how to be genuine," his father said.

Through sports, including lacrosse, football and wrestling, and through REACH, a program he pursued with the Westhampton Presbyterian Church, the young man "was quick to make friends," Hubbard said. "One girl told us that even though she'd only met him once, she'd never forget him."

Growing up in Westhampton Beach, Hubbard excelled on high school sports teams including lacrosse, wrestling and football.

Friends were heartbroken by his loss. "Cory was always full of a never-ending energy," said Joanna DeLeon. "He was blessed with a light that could shine for eternity. His smile made you smile and his laugh made you laugh. He brought joy to people's lives and I will always remember him that way."