Hubert "Hugh" Sharpe
Jun-24-2026Hubert Moore Hugh Sharpe, 94, of Vero Beach, FL, formerly Grand Island, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Hugh, the second of three boys, was born in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada in 1932 to the late Arthur and Margaret Sharpe. As a teenager, his family emigrated to the United States; living in Minnesota before later settling the Buffalo area. He enlisted for the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Through his service, he became a U.S. citizen — one of his proudest accomplishments. He received his master’s in education from the University of Buffalo and spent over 30 years teaching Earth science for the Grand Island Central School District. Under a National Science Foundation grant, he served as an instructor at the State University of New York College at Buffalo, teaching a course on the teaching of Earth Science to educators. In 1969, he received a Shell Merit Fellowship for study at Cornell University in Ithaca. Additionally, he worked with the New York State Department of Education, assisting in the development of science curriculum and the writing of final exams. In 1987, the state education department honored Hugh with an outstanding science educator award. Following an accomplished career as an educator, he retired in 1995. Beyond his career in education, the role he cherished most was that of husband, father, and grandfather. Married for 56 years, he and his beloved wife, Catherine, raised their two sons in the same town where he taught, creating deep roots in the community he so faithfully served. His commitment to the community extended far beyond the classroom. Together, he and his wife operated a cross-country ski shop, sharing their love of the outdoors with friends and neighbors. His dedication to serving others was recognized in 1983 when he was named Grand Island Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year for Community Service. A devoted volunteer, he was an active member of the Grand Island Branch of the Buffalo Chapter of the American Red Cross, where over the years he served as a board member, disaster coordinator, branch chairman, and chair of the Youth Committee. Whether mentoring young people, coordinating relief efforts, or supporting community initiatives, he gave generously of his time and talents. His adventurous spirit and appreciation for nature shaped much of his life. An avid sailor, cross country skier, and talented wood carver, he found joy in both craftsmanship and the outdoors. Some of his happiest times were spent camping and sailing with his children and, later, his grandchildren. Together, they explored much of Canada and the United States in their beloved Airstream. In the last decade of his life, he made Vero Beach, FL his full-time home. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the healthcare staff at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital and to Nicole O’Neill, Local Veteran Advocate, and Marie Jeanlouis for the exceptional care, kindness, and unwavering support they provided to Hugh and his loved ones. Hugh is survived by his sons, Brian (Cindy) and Wayne (Asuka); his grandsons, Michael (Gillian) and Matthew (Megan); and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his wife Catherine (née Crombie), and brothers John Jack and David. Services will be held on Grand Island on September 5th. The graveside service will be at 11 AM at the Whitehaven Cemetery, 3094 East River Rd with a luncheon following at The Buffalo Launch Club for all attending. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Voices for Veterans of Indian River County (vvirc.org) in honor of Hubert M. Sharpe.
Mr. Sharpe was my science teacher in Grand Island High Scool (class of '78.). In early years, we butted heads a bit, because he was a good teacher and I was a bit of a rebellious punk. But in my junior year, I missed nearly the entire spring semester due to contracting mononucleosis. So the school sent someone to tutor me at home, not just in science but every other subject. That someone was Mr. Hugh Sharpe. He was so kind, and such a great teacher. He helped me make it to my senior year. I wouldn't have done it without him. Rest in Peace, Mr. Sharpe, and have fun exploring the rest of God's universe.
BruceAllen
Aug-23-2026 | San Francisco, CA | FriendMr. Sharpe was my science teacher in Grand Island High Scool (class of '78.). In early years, we butted heads a bit. because he was a good teacher and I was a bit of a rebellious punk. But in my junior year, I missed nearly the entire spring semester due to contracting mononucleosis. So the school sent someone to tutor me at home, not just in science but every other subject. That someone was Mr. Hugh Sharpe. He was so kind, and such a great teacher. He helped me make it to my senior year. I wouldn't have done it without him. Rest in Peace, Mr. Sharpe, and have fun exploring the rest of God's universe.
BruceAllen
Aug-23-2026 | San Francisco, CA | FriendGood Bye Hugh, our friendship was so much fun. we laughed a lot and sometimes cried together. I will miss you forever . .
JosephineStewart
Aug-30-2026 | VERO BEACH, FL | FriendA TRIBUTE TO MR. HUGH SHARPE, TO GRAND ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL, AND ALL TEACHERS With yesterday’s first text message, I learned, with sadness, of the passing of an early mentor and a great guy, Mr. Hubert Sharpe, who taught Earth Science for many years at Grand Island Junior-Senior High School. I heard this sad fact from two of my old friends from Grand Island George Sanders and Torg Fadum. But that brief communication also brought me back to those interesting and formative days in Grand Island when I was a kid. I wanted to write a personal note of thanks to Hugh Sharp and to many other teachers who made the learning environment interesting, exciting, and fun. As a science educator myself, for some 48 years-and counting, I might simply say: Grand Island schools and teachers like Hugh Sharpe got it right. By this I mean that Mr. Sharpe and the other teachers in the Grand Island schools not only taught, but they were also mentors in the true sense. What that meant to me is that they were genuinely nurturing and encouraged me to do my own things (as did my wonderful parents). They were encouraging, but never pushy or preachy. Quite a few of my contemporaries and I went on to further education and careers in education and science. We had a solid foundation. I met Mr. Sharpe when I was a nerdy and awkward eighth grader (aren’t they all; my grandson is now struggling in 8th grade). My classmates and I enjoyed Sharpe’s classes because they were filled with interesting anecdotes quirky humor, and information; he was a unique and interesting individual. He loved the natural world and got us to think about the way Earth science works; he encouraged our question and our interests. Thinking of him brings a smile to my face. It was he who encouraged me to do my first science fair talk- on fossil trilobites (why not?), which went on to the junior high science fair at Buffalo Museum. I did not win anything for that one and was rather disappointed, but he encouraged me not give up; eventually I did succeed. I never actually took Hugh Sharp’s high school Earth Science course, rather I had that 9th grade class from another remarkable teacher-Mrs. Edna Milliken in New Hampshire in 1965-1966, the year my dad took a sabbatical back at the family farm near Durham. Mrs. Milliken had it right too: get kids thinking about how science works and excite them about the natural world and research. When I returned to Grand Island as a 10th grader, (glad to be back in the wonderful world of fossils in western New York) it was Biology with Mr. James Maza, another interesting, funny, quirky, and wonderful guy and a class I loved. But I kept in touch with Mr. Sharpe and he had me come in and talk to his classes about (what else?) the wonders of fossils in western New York. Eventually he and Mr. Patmos asked me to make displays in the hallways of Grand Island High School and in the back of his classroom. I relate these things to make a point: Hugh Sharp and many other teachers at Grand Island (Lynn Lehman, Paul Houser Neil Hoffman, Jim Mazza, James Patmos, to name but a few): all had great philosophies of teaching, and I wanted to be like them. They gave memorable classes and I loved those lectures. I learned to take notes -I still love teaching classes (especially out in the field) and have my students take notes in pencil (and use cell phones for their “primary purpose”: taking pictures of landscapes, rock outcrops, and organisms, living and fossil !). From Grand Island teachers like Hugh, I got interested in so many things. I thought I could be happy pursuing any of these subjects: art, literature, history, biology, other sciences. But many of those same teachers also let me pursue my strongest passions in earth sciences, paleobiology, and art. And my Grand Island classmates encouraged this too. I frequently went out on my bike looking at rip-rap along the Niagara River with George Sanders and Craig Clement, both of whom went on to study geology and paleontology. Their Mom’s took us out to more distant and wonderful places- and their camaraderie, fostered in Grand Island High School, was critical to all of us. We showed Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Mazza and others, the fabulous fossils we found. They thought that was cool. Mr. Sharpe’s encouragement was very empowering to a shy, nerdy kid. He understood that, though I liked lots of academic things, I knew what I loved most to do, and bit by bit Mr. Sharp, especially, and the others too, allowed me to gain the confidence to think for myself and to say: ‘I really could do that -paleontology-and I’m going to’. Each year on the first day of the semester, I tell my freshmen geology classes: you don’t need be a geologist or earth scientist (though it’s a great life), but here’s your most important job as a beginning student: figure out what you really love to do and when you do, pursue it with a vengeance. Grand Island schools and great teachers, like Hugh Sharpe encouraged me and others to do just that. Sadly, I have not seen Hugh for more than 50 years; I last visited the high school when I was a student at University of Buffalo. I dropped off some additional fossils for the teaching sets. Mr. Sharp and Mr. Patmos both said to me then: “don’t forget about us here when you are rich and famous” (I probably took that as a somewhat snarky comment: you’re never going to be rich or famous as a paleontologist. Several misguided, if well meaning, guidance counselors had tried to tell me that at UB: do something “useful”; make money; not I !). But here I am, and I’m not forgetting the teachers of Grand Island. I’m certainly not wealthy, but I live a very rich life as a scientist, educator, and parent, and that richness comes especially from my students and kids who write to say that I made a difference to them. What goes around comes around and I never forgot those lessons in life gained from Mr. Sharpe and others in Grand Island schools. They too, were/are “rich” in having encouraged generations of students to go forward and succeed. Hugh Sharpe will be sincerely missed by many, but more important, he will live on in memories of the many students who he encouraged, back in those interesting formative days on Grand Island. Here’s to you, Hugh!! Carlton E. Brett Distinguished Research Professor Department of Geosciences University of Cincinnati Grand Island High School, Class of 1969
CarltonBrett
Sep-05-2026 | Cincinnati, OH | FriendSend Condolence
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