Here is my dads obit which I am honored to have written with the help of my sister, Jennifer Anne, and info from her friend Todd Ashbeck. I have made this public, so please feel free to share with anyone you know who knew Kuby. ***** Francis R. “Kuby” Kubisiak, 90, peacefully left his physical body on December 19, 2014 while he was sleeping. He was born in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin on June 23, 1924 to Frank and Mary (Cepress) Kubisiak, the eighth of their ten children. Among those in his family who remain are his brother, Norbert (Betty) Kubisiak, and his offspring Daniel, Christine (Thomas Dehlinger), Naomi (Robert Cochran), Jennifer, Peter (Patricia), Mary (Tim Heinz); his grandchildren, Susan Bartlett, Emma Dehlinger, Jacob Heinz, Casey Heinz, Sophia Kubisiak and Natalie Kubisiak; his great grandchildren Ari Dehlinger, Zane Weber, Sandy Weber; his companion Ruth Johnson, and too many loved ones to list or count. He was preceded in death by the love-of-his-life, Mae (Sonnenberg) Kubisiak who passed March 11, 1989, his parents, eight brothers and sisters, and many more friends and loved ones. Kuby was a talented artist and technician, whether it involved music and song, wood-carving, tying flies for trout fishing on the Tomorrow River (“those smelly fish,” which he and Mae knew so well how to cook, but only when they were within limits to keep, of course). He loved camping, was quite the kayaker (having built several boats). Whether installing bindings on snow skis, or just standing there with his hands on his hips supervising someone else, he always knew how to make a task easier and more efficient. A downhill skier since his youth, Kuby served in WWII in the famous 10th Mountain Division of the U.S. Army, and he was part of the taking of Riva Ridge (Italy) from the Germans, earning a Bronz Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for his service. He continued to ski until the age of 86 after having both knees replaced so that he could keep skiing. He held various positions in his early work life, at the paper mill, gas company and Fishers Dairy as a milkman. (Hence, two of his daughters are “the milkman’s baby.”) After those brief stints, he continued his working life always with a connection to music in his jobs. He was offered a position at Speltz Music to repair and overhaul all kinds of musical instruments, although he had no previous experience. After nearly 30 years at Speltz, Kuby joined Jerry’s Music, assisting in the development of music programs in areas schools. He did that for 15 years until he retired in 2003 at the age of 79. He was a mentor to and influence on many young musicians and artists, many of whom still perform locally and throughout the country. Kuby started his musical career in his high school marching band and the local Drum and Bugle Corps. Before WWII, he toured the Midwest with “The Bobby Griggs Band,” a 12-piece big band group out of Mason City, Iowa. After the war ended, Kuby toured with “The Norbert Gonz Band” out of Stevens Point, a 6-piece group that had gigs in Minnesota and the UP. He played with an array of local musicians as the “Banana Band” on the back of a flatbed truck in local parades in the ‘50s to ‘70s, and also made guest appearances with Don Cheseboro’s “Dixieland Band.” Kuby was a drummer and vocalist for the “Castillians” for more than 40 years, playing jazz and old standards at clubs around town such as Wilbern’s, Hotel Mead and the old Terrace Gardens. His latest gig, up until his death, was jamming with local musicians (occasionally with his daughter Jennifer as vocalist) in “Four On The Floor” at the Cultural Center in Wisconsin Rapids. “Music, you know, is part of my life, in fact, most of my life. I see no reason to quit, unless Mother Nature gives me the call.” ~Kuby, August 2014 Kuby also served his community for several years as alderman and on planning/zoning/urban renewal committees. He was a father, husband, brother, uncle and friend who brought joy and love to every interaction. His smile would always light up a room. Always respectful and compassionate, even if he didn’t understand or agree, by his actions and words he taught his offspring the same. We are all blessed to have had him in our lives. Memorials may be made in Kuby’s name to the Central Wisconsin Cultural Center in Wisconsin Rapids, as it has been a vital part of his life in recent years. “On the day I die, don’t say ‘he’s gone.’ Death has nothing to do with going away. The sun sets, and the moon sets, but they’re not gone. Death is a coming together. The human seed goes down into the ground like a bucket, and comes up with some unimagined beauty. Your mouth closes here, and immediately opens with a shout of joy there.” ~Rumi
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 18:05:44 +0000
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