Alvin H. “Cubby” Halverson, 87, of International Falls, Minn., died Monday, May 14, 2012, at Littlefork Care Center.
Cubby was born Sept. 11, 1924, in Bird Island, Minn., and moved to Greenbush as a child, until moving on to many other places to seek employment.
He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 and served aboard the USS Arctic. In the Navy, he obtained the rank of Chief Bowsman Mate. He spent 36 months in the South Pacific before being discharged in 1946.
He then started his career as a heavy equipment operator, taking him many places around the world, including International Falls.
Cubby enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and traveling.
He was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church with his wife, Doris.
In his earlier years, he worked up in Alaska on the oil pipeline with his good friend Bobby Quist. He would often be watching fishing shows and he would reminisce of his fishing adventures while in Alaska.
He met Doris Vellieux while working construction in International Falls. They were married April 9, 1956, and had four boys.
In his later years, he and his wife would travel to several naval reunions from the time he was aboard the USS Arctic. He made several close friends which he kept in contact with until the past few years.
Cubby was known for his “man’s man” personality, but also had a heart of gold and helped many other friends and family in their time of need. He also liked to tell a story or two, and he always had his trademark “sheepish grin” that left you wondering if his story was a tall tale.
To his family, Cubby’s personality resembled John Wayne — he fought for what was right, and stood up for the “underdogs.” He had a very true moral compass, liked his brandy, and often visited the VFW to have a bump with his friends.
Cubby was a loving and devoted husband. He and Doris had an eternal bond, were completely in love, and worked as a team to face the challenges in life.
He was preceded in death by two of his sons, Michael (1966) and Brian (1999); parents, Ned and Birtha Halverson; grandson, Aaron Haynes (September 2011); 10 brothers; and one sister.
Cubby is survived by his loving wife, Doris Halverson of International Falls, Minn.; sons, Kevin Halverson of St. Paul, Minn., and Tim Halverson of Sacramento, Calif.; granddaughter, Deanna; great-grandchildren, Brianna and Matthew; brother, Les (Evie) Halverson of Crookston, Minn.; and sister, LaVerne (Harvey) Hanson of Strathcona, Minn.
Memorial Mass will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 24, with military rites at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 10.
Interment will be at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials in memory of Cubby may be sent to the Peter Graham Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2948 or St. Thomas Catholic Church.
Condolences may be left at www.greenlarsen.com.
Arrangements are with Green-Larsen Mortuary Inc., International Falls.
