Joseph Dubee; worked with youth

Joseph Andre Dubee, 65, of Princeton, who worked for the Boy Scouts and the Union League of Philadelphia for many years, died Friday, Dec. 10, of prostate cancer at the University Medical Center at Princeton.

Born and raised in Glens Falls, N.Y., Mr. Dubee was a graduate of Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y., and earned his master's degree in English at night from Russell Sage College in Albany.

Mr. Dubee taught grade school for five years in Albany before becoming a professional employee of the Boy Scouts of America. For 21 years, he served scout councils in Trenton; White Plains, N.Y.; Bethesda, Md.; and Philadelphia.

In 1994, he joined the Union League of Philadelphia as youth work and scholarship director. He retired as foundations director in 2007 due to health issues.

John Meko, executive director of the foundations of the Union League, worked with Mr. Dubee during his last three years there.

Meko said Mr. Dubee presided over three league foundations that grant college scholarships to Philadelphia children; support local children's efforts to get jobs and careers; and care for the league's collections, including Civil War artifacts.

"He was absolutely a gentleman, a kind and compassionate guy. He was counselor to dozens of kids here. That's what he liked to do," Meko said.

Mr. Dubee met his future wife, the former Beverly Crane, when her previous husband was dying in 1981 at age 48; Mr. Dubee was a volunteer visitor. The two married in 1985 and lived for many years in Elkins Park and Fort Washington before moving to Princeton in 2004.

A longtime member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Center City, Mr. Dubee served on the finance and capital campaign committees and was a lay reader and eucharistic minister.

Mr. Dubee was a religious scholar, avid reader, and late-night gourmet cook.

"I'm legally blind, so he became the cook about 15 years ago," his wife said. "He didn't like to rush it, so we'd eat at 10 o'clock at night."

Surviving in addition to his wife are a brother; a niece; a stepson, William Crane; a stepdaughter, Elizabeth de Jong-Crane; and four step-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 10, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 21 S. 13th St., Philadelphia.

Memorial donations may be made to the Scholarship Fund, c/o Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad St., Philadelphia 19102.

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