Joseph F. Cubells
August 16, 1935 ~ March 25, 2026
Born in: Manhattan, New York
Joseph Faustino Cubells died peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Born in New York City in 1935 to Faustino and Alice Cubells (ne Wasielewski), he was the big brother of Raymond (with whom he got into various and sundry mischief) and Jaqueline (whom he loved and guided through her school years).
Proud of his Jesuit education at Xavier High School in New York and the University of Detroit, he trained as an aeronautical engineer. He worked first at Republic Aviation and then joined Grumman Aerospace to work on the team that developed the Lunar Excursion Module that landed astronauts on the moon. After then working on the development of the F14 Tomcat fighter for the U.S. Navy, he completed his career as an operations analyst with top security clearances, working with the leaders at the Pentagon and several allies of the United States to keep our country and world safe.
Joe is survived by his wife Patricia (ne Reilly) of 68 years. They lovingly raised Joe Jr. (Lynda Weaver), Patricia (William) Finnerty , Kathleen (Walter) Mis and James, “Jimbo”. He was the proud grandfather of Billy, Rebecca, Tim, Aaron, Patrick F, Sarah, Patrick M, and Nicholas, and was thrilled to know that his first great-grandson will soon be born. Joe is also survived by many beloved cousins, nephews and nieces.
Joe was an involved father who supported his family’s many activities. He was an avid reader, loved cooking for family and friends and critiquing recipes for America’s Test Kitchen. He was a master player of crosswords, Crypoquote, and Monopoly. He leaves behind many who loved him and whom he loved. We will hold him in our hearts forever.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to CurePSP https://rarediseases.org/organizations/curepsp/ or to Public Television Channel 13 https://www.thirteen.org
Services
Visitation: Sunday, March 29, 2026 1:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Branch Funeral Home Smithtown
190 E. Main St.
SMITHTOWN, NY 11787
Mass: Monday, March 30, 2026 10:45 am
St. James R. C. Church, Setauket
Route 25 A & Ridgeway Ave,
EAST SETAUKET, NY 11733
Private- Cremation:
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My heart breaks for all of you. Mr. Cubells, as i have always called him since 1979, was always a kind and decent man. A loving husband to his wife and children, and knowing him as I did many years ago, I’m sure he was a loving grandfather to his grandchildren. May his memory be for a blessing. I’m sure he’ll watch over all of his loved ones and stay forever in your hearts. My mom will make herself available for a waltz with him in heaven.