Albert John Kubeluis Jr.

Albert John Kubeluis, Jr., 81 The former Bowie resident, passed away on February 25, 2024, at his home in McDaniel, Maryland surrounded by family. Al was born on April 18, 1942, to Albert and Anna (Buda) Kubeluis. He is survived by his wife Mary Jo (Steenbergen), daughter Adrienne (son-in-law Andrew Schmugge, grandchildren Julian and Laney, both college students in Virginia), son Chris (daughter-in-law Nichole, granddaughter Dr. Rowan Kubeluis, DDS), sister Carol Libonati, nieces Genevieve, Rachel and Stephanie, his honorary grandchildren, Samantha and Ian Cavanaugh and Cate Hogan and an extended family he held dear. Al’s grandparents immigrated from Lithuania during World War I and he grew up in a Lithuanian neighborhood on Washington Avenue in Baltimore City where Orioles Park now stands. Although they never learned English, one grandmother built a thriving business and his grandfather and father worked for the B&O Railroad. He was a second-generation American who grew up in a multigenerational household that included his grandparents and beloved Uncle Eddie Buda. Al spent much of his formative years at the family’s summer home on Bodkin Creek in Pasadena, where he learned to swim, water ski, and explore the local waterways. He developed a lifelong passion for the Chesapeake and its tributaries. He attended St. Jerome’s grade school and then Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. It was there that he found success in school and on the swim team. Al attended Loyola University Maryland as a recipient of its first swimming scholarship. He also earned a master’s degree from the School of Government and Public Administration at American University in Washington, DC. Al met his wife, Mary Jo Steenbergen of Beavercreek, Ohio, during his college years, while lifeguarding at Johns Hopkins Hospital pool where she was a nursing student. They were married in 1964 and had two children, Adrienne Kubeluis of Wintergreen, Virginia (formerly from Baltimore, Maryland) and Christopher Kubeluis of Gaithersburg, Maryland. Al started his professional career in computer science at the National Security Administration while concurrently earning his master’s degree. He then devoted 28 years working for the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) managing the Data Administration Division while raising his family in Bowie. During his tenure at the FRB, he received Commendation from Chairman Alan Greenspan and was appointed to the Presidential Executive Exchange Program by President Ronald Reagan where he worked in a one-year liaison position in the private sector for Johnson and Johnson, in Brunswick, New Jersey. He also received a special achievement award from Chairman Paul Volker in 1986. During these work years, Al enjoyed sharing his love of sports and athletics with his children, friends and co-workers. Al retired from the Federal Reserve in 1997 and he and Mary Jo built a home on Harris Creek in McDaniel, Maryland near St. Michael’s. He was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Creek Watchers, and volunteer swim instructor. He volunteered at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and loved to boat, kayak, crab, fish, and enjoy the water with his extended family and friends. Known as Pop by his grandchildren and family, Al cites his greatest accomplishment as his family. Al was an avid, lifelong endurance athlete. In addition to setting swim records at Baltimore Polytech and Loyola University, Al won the 4.4 mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge swim race held in 1962 (Baltimore Sun July 12, 1962) while still in college. He ran with the Federal Reserve Striders and in more than 50 marathons, 50-mile and 100-mile ultra-marathons. He was a triathlete before the sport gained widespread popularity. He also enjoyed mountain and road biking, whitewater and flat water kayaking, yoga, and Masters swimming. Always competitive, Al raced internationally on his stationary rowing machine across the internet. Friends and family may call at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newman Funeral Home, 200 South Harrison Street, Easton, Maryland 21601 on Saturday, March 9th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. A celebration of Al’s life will be held during the summer. Remembrances can be sent to the Loyola University Maryland’s men's swim team or the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michael’s, Maryland.

Albert John Kubeluis Jr.

April 18, 1942 - February 25, 2024