Howard Hubbard, bishop emeritus of the Albany Catholic Diocese, has died at age 84, days after suffering what the diocesan newspaper called a stroke this week.

Hubbard’s death was confirmed by a representative Saturday afternoon. 

Hubbard served as the Albany diocese’s bishop from 1977-2014, which at the time was the longest tenure of any Albany bishop.

Born Oct. 31, 1938, Howard Hubbard grew up in Lansingburgh, graduating from St. Patrick’s School and LaSalle Institute. Gaining his footing in the priesthood after being ordained in 1963, he became an associate pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Schenectady.

In 1977, at just 38 years of age, Hubbard became the youngest appointed bishop in the United States, appointed by Pope Paul VI. As bishop, he spearheaded the renovation of Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Albany.

His career, though, was not without controversy: The diocese filed for bankruptcy earlier this…