Louis O. St. Aubin, Jr., 57, died Tuesday morning July 11, 2006 at the home he shared with his life partner William Pitt at 95 Madison Street. He had suffered from complications of diabetes and renal failure.
Born in Acushnet, the son of Barbara Ashley St. Aubin and the late Louis O. St. Aubin, he lived in New Bedford for most of his life.
Mr. St. Aubin was the owner of Brookside Antiques on North Water Street in New Bedford. Over the years, he served a wide array of customers, locally, nationally, and internationally, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Liberace, Barbra Streisand, and Kate Smith. He was a noted glass historian and expert on Mt. Washington Glass. He was the author of a book on Pairpoint Lamps. He performed cataloging and appraising for the James Julia Auction Company in Fairfield, Maine.
Mr. St. Aubin was a founder of the former New Bedford Glass Museum, the New Bedford Glass Society, and the Society of New Bedford Glass and Fine Arts. He was a founder and Past President of the Mt. Washington Art Glass Society. He was the Past President of the Southeastern New England Antique Dealers Association.
He was a founding member and current President of the New Bedford Preservation Society, and was very active with their annual house and cemetery tours. He was a goodwill ambassador for the City of New Bedford convincing many people to purchase and refurbish old homes. He had a love and passion for New Bedford, its history, its architecture, and its contribution made to the worldwide glass industry. A member of the Waterfront Area Historic League (WHALE), he was actively committed to the original restoration of the Historic District. He was a founding member of the former Centre Street Festival Committee. He served as the New Bedford Commissioner of Tourism from 1978-1982 and was a former member of the New Bedford Zoning Board of Appeals.
He was an advising curator for the New Bedford Whaling Museum for two exhibits: Masterpieces of Mt. Washington Art Glass and Smith Brothers-Glassware. He also served on the collections committee at the Whaling Museum.
In addition to his life partner and his mother, he is survived by a sister, Susan Wilson St. Aubin of Reno, Nevada; and aunts, uncles, and cousins.
His Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 11 AM in the Grace Episcopal Church. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be at his late residence, 95 Madison Street on Thursday from 1-4 and 6-8 PM.