Obituary of James L. Lubeck

James L. “Jim” Lubeck died peacefully surrounded by loving family on Thursday, February 15, 2018 at the age of 87 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

A proud Wisconsin native, Jim was born on December 29, 1930 in Milwaukee, WI to the late Harry G. Lubeck and Cora A. Lubeck (neè Koehler). Throughout high school, Jim was an avid athlete receiving varsity letters in football, basketball and track. Upon graduating high school, Jim proudly served with the U.S. Marine Corps in Korea from 1951-1954 in the 4.5m Rocket Battalion. Following his military service, Jim returned to Milwaukee and went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, his beloved Badgers, where he graduated in 1958 with a degree in business.

After college, he started his professional career managing a variety of small businesses. It was this experience that led to Jim’s very successful 40+-year sales career with the E.I. Du Pont De Nemours Company. During his career, his travels brought him to California where he met and married his wife, Myra (Stead) Lubeck with whom he shared 53 years of marriage. In 1964, Jim’s work with DuPont lead him to the east coast first to Marblehead, MA then onto Rumson, NJ and finally Fairfield, CT. During their ten years in Marblehead, Jim and Myra started their family of three: Jonathan, Christopher and Kimberly and Jim embraced his passion for sailing not only with Myra, but also with their children. This passion for sailing would remain strong within Jim throughout the remainder of his life.  After a brief time in Rumson, NJ, Jim brought his family to Fairfield, CT and continued his passion for sailing as well as his children’s activities in swimming and wrestling. At 55, Jim retired from Du Pont and returned to his original small business roots, consulting with local small businesses in the Fairfield area to help them grow.

Jim was dedicated to those areas that he loved. He was an avid sailor, proud U.S. Marine and loving husband and father. He was committed to giving back to his community and country through both his military service and his passion for sailing. Jim loved racing his C&C 41’ Man of War on the Long Island Sound waters representing Black Rock Yacht Club where he served as Commodore in 1989, chaired several committees and remained an active volunteer for over 38 years. It was at BRYC where Jim founded the Junior Big Boat Sailing program to not only develop, but also provide accessibility to youth sailors. Because of this program’s success, U.S. Sailing adopted it as their national model replicating it throughout the United States. In 2012, Connecticut’s Governor Malloy recognized Jim for both his military service and the Junior Big Boat program. When not on the water, Jim was active with Fairfield Grace Methodist Church and Fairfield Senior Center.

A devoted family man, Jim loved to watch his Wisconsin Badgers football team with many “On Wisconsin” cheers and would always have “Semper Fi” for his fellow Marines . He received supportive care over the past year from Bride Brook  Health and Wellness Center’s staff. Jim will be remembered by his loving wife, Myra (Stead) Lubeck of Fairfield, CT, his sons Jonathan W. Lubeck (wife Sarah) and Christopher G. Lubeck (wife Karen) both of Marblehead, MA and his daughter, Kimberly (Lubeck) Spangler (husband David) of Fairfield, CT. as well as, his 6 cherished grandchildren: Tyler, Tucker, Cassidy and Peyton Lubeck, David and Harrison Spangler.

Calling hours will be held on Friday (February 23rd) from 4-8 PM in the Lesko & Polke Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, in Fairfield Center. Services celebrating his life will take place on Saturday (February 24th) at 1030 AM in Fairfield Grace United Methodist Church, 1089 Fairfield Woods Road, Fairfield. Military honor will be observed immediately after his church service and his interment will be private.

Jim’s family would prefer donations in his honor to the following organizations: The Alzheimer’s Association, Wounded Warriors and the U.S. Marine Corp Toys for Tots. For travel directions, or to sign his online guest book, please visit www.LeskoPolkeFuneralHome.com