Jeff Kubacki

Jeff David Kubacki, 67, passed away peacefully at home on December 30, 2025. Born April 24, 1958 in Syracuse, New York, Jeff was the son of Lillian Mueller Kubacki and Theodore Kubacki. He grew up in Upstate New York where he attended Skaneateles High School followed by West Point Military Academy.

Jeff built a remarkable 40-year career in information technology defined by leadership, integrity, and a deep respect for people. He began his professional journey as a programmer trainee at Bausch & Lomb in Rochester, New York, and went on to serve as a five-time Chief Information Officer, holding senior leadership roles across multiple global organizations. He earned degrees in computer science and later a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance and accounting from the University of South Florida. Throughout his career, Jeff worked in 25 countries across Europe, South America, and Asia, experiences that fueled his curiosity about different cultures and what it truly means to be a global citizen.

Jeff was honored as the Twin Cities CIO of the Year, a prestigious award that recognized his innovation and transformative impact on the Minnesota business community. He was also a multi-year finalist for the ORBIE Awards, reflecting a career-long commitment to excellence and mentorship. Above all, Jeff measured success by how he helped people. He considered his greatest professional accomplishment the many direct reports who went on to become CIOs, CTOs, and IT leaders themselves, firmly believing that “people make the difference.” That belief shaped not only how Jeff led at work, but how he lived his life, as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Jeff married his High School sweetheart, Denise Kubacki, on June 2, 1979, and together they shared many adventures. He was a best friend for over 46 years, a proud father to five children, and took his greatest pride in being a joyful grandfather to eleven grandchildren. Together with Denise, Jeff loved nothing more than spending time with his family, especially watching his kids and grandkids play sports. He enjoyed the outdoors, whether that meant hunting, golfing, or getting out for a bike ride. Jeff also cherished family traditions, from holiday gatherings to lively game nights where Settlers of Catan was a family favorite—he would always go for the longest road—and cozy family movie nights, where it was very common to hear both his booming, infectious laugh followed by his snoring before the movie even ended. Family vacations were important to him, not for where they went, but for the time spent together. To him, family was everything, and that love showed up in countless small, meaningful ways.

Jeff is survived by his loving wife, Denise Kubacki, along with his children and beloved grandchildren, Jason (Megan and grandchildren Kenly, Hayden, Reagan, Jackson); Kelly (Brian and grandchild Hunter) Uebel; Mark (Kelsey and grandchildren Addison, Mackenzie); Katie (Ty and grandchildren Ada, Mattie) Keller; Ryan (Shelby and grandchildren Theodore, Emma), and his siblings Chris (Kubacki) Johnson and Marty Kubacki. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian Mueller Kubacki and Theodore Kubacki.

A celebration of life will be held on January 23, 2026 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 - 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, followed by the funeral service from 11:00 am to noon. Please join us for a luncheon to follow from noon to 2:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Fellowship Hall. St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church 900 Stillwater Road Mahtomedi, MN 55115

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Jeff’s memory to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church (https://standrewlu.org/giving/) or the Bayport Fire Relief Association (https://bayportfire.org/relief-association).

Jeff’s family loved him dearly. He may have finished his final turn, but the longest road he built was the one that connected him to all of us. His love and memory will live on forever in our hearts.