Aaron

Stubbs

Affectionately known as Poppy, Herman, and Stubbzy, Aaron Stubbs was born on July 6, 1929 in Galina,
St Mary Parish, Jamaica West Indies to Glanville Stubbs and Unister (Barriffe) Stubbs. He was the eldest
of 5 children. He is predeceased by his brother Wilfred, who died as a young child, and Lyra (Aunty
Sweetie) Stubbs.
Aaron's parents instilled a highly disciplined and structured environment centered around Church,
family, a strong work ethic, academic excellence, respect for yourself and others, and punctuality. He
attended church and school at the United Methodist Church in Galina. These core values carried Aaron
throughout his life, and he would later instill these values in his own family.
He excelled in his early education. After a severe illness prevented him from sitting for the High School
examination, his parents arranged for him to enter into an apprenticeship with a Trade master, under
whose tutelage he became a highly-skilled and talented carpenter. Aaron honed his skills as a
tradesman, working with developers of several original hotels in Jamaica, and was particularly gifted at
making furniture. He even built his father a house! He took great pride in the quality of his work, and
would ultimately become a Master Carpenter working in in the United Kingdom in England, New York,
and with the Carpenters Union of NJ from 1975 until his retirement in 1998.
In the early 1960's, Aaron left a familiar life in Jamaica and migrated to England with the love of his life,
Amy, and their youngest daughter Patricia. They were married on June 22, 1963 at the Forest Gate
Methodist Church in England. Aaron and Amy wanted to have a suitable home for their family. What
they could afford was not suitable, and what was suitable was out of their affordability. They chose a
home and sublet an area to tenants. This would be their first foray into real estate, eventually owning
multiple properties, including a multi-family home, and an apartment building in North Miami Beach,
Florida.
Aaron, Amy, and Patricia eventually left England for the United States, initially settling in Long Island, NY.
After a few years there, Aaron and Amy would ultimately move to Teaneck, New Jersey at 1092
Margaret Street, where they would live for over 20 years. His home became the focal point for his entire
village of friends and family. Aarons home also served as an oasis for so many. Its where most family and
friends were first introduced to the United States- a benefit that he did not have for his family when he
first migrated to England. He had an entire room dedicated to storing groceries, building supplies, and
other items to be shipped to Jamaica on an annual basis- and sometimes more often. When suitcases
and barrels proved to be inadequate, Aaron personally built large crates by hand to ship items to
Jamaica.
When he was not working, looking after his family in Jamaica, or working on home improvement jobs for
a client, you could find him at the kitchen table, in his arm chair in front of the television watching a
variety of classic dramas starring the likes of Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart and others. When he
wanted to kick it up a notch, he would enjoy mimic the fight scenes while watching in old westerns
starring Clint Eastwood, musicals by Elvis Presely, or applaud the outstanding portrayal of Joe Clark by
Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me.
Poppy was a serious man, but he had other facets that kept him balanced. As a young man, he enjoyed
fishing as a hobby, and was an excellent swimmer into his early 80's. He raised rabbits, and roosters, and
took extreme pride in his Garden that covered almost HALF of his backyard. His tomato and callaloo
plants were known to be 6 Feet tall. He said that you have to talk to them and treat them right, and
spent time with them alone daily. On Saturday evenings, Poppy would be found in the basement
listening to classic reggae tunes or a variety of Jamaican gospel artists. He also enjoyed reading, and
would always be found with a lengthy mystery or a romantic novel.
Following Aaron's retirement, he and Amy moved Fort Lauderdale, FL. He made new friends, and the
tropical climate allowed him to cultivate Ackee and produce crops native to Jamaica in a new garden.
Regardless of where life took him, Aaron would always remain connected to his family and friends from
NY, NJ and Jamaica.
He is survived by his wife, Amynell Louise Stubbs, Sons Edward and Vincent, and Daughters Madge
Haughton, Dornet Christie and Patricia Washington. He was predeceased by his son Malton McFarlane.
Aaron leaves behind his sister, Gwendolyn (Stubbs) Roy, his brother, Herbert Stubbs, 27 Grandchildren,
39 Great-Grandchildren, and 9 Great-Great grandchildren, and a host of family, friends, and loved ones.
His memory will be cherished by all.