Joseph X. Gubbins Jr

February 17, 1934 - March 7, 2019

Joseph Xavier Gubbins, Jr., 85, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away Thursday, March 7, 2019 at Hospice of the Valley in Scottsdale, Arizona. He was born February 17, 1934, in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of Joseph X. Gubbins and Mary “Mae” (Mullen) Gubbins. Joe was a graduate of St. Edmund Parish School, Fenwick High School, and DePaul University of Chicago. In 1958, he began what would become a 60-year career in education at St. Ignatius High School in Chicago. There he taught English and coached freshman and varsity basketball. In 1959, he became the inaugural varsity basketball coach at Marian Central Catholic High School in Woodstock Illinois, where he remained for the next six years. He also served as Director of Athletics and taught English. In 1966, he became varsity basketball coach and Director of Athletics at St. Philip Basilica High School in Chicago. His 1967-68 team was the Chicago Catholic League North Heavyweight Champion. In 1968, he became varsity basketball coach at Eastridge High School in Kankakee, where he taught and coached for seven years. His most memorable team was his Sweet Sixteen 1971-72 squad that went 24-5, and were sectional champions. During his tenure at Eastridge he also served as Athletic Director, taught both English and Driver’s Education, and coached the boys’ golf team. After leaving Eastridge, Joe taught and was an assistant coach at Bloom Township High School, and his teams made back-to-back Sweet Sixteen appearances in 1978 and 1979. Thereafter, Joe transitioned into academic administration. He served as Dean of Students at Zion Benton High School, and Principal of Reddick High School for five year before relocating to Arizona. In Arizona, he served as Principal and Athletic Director of Joseph City High School. In 1994 he was named Athletic Director of the Year for Arizona 1A schools. He also served a six-year term on the Arizona Interscholastic Association Executive Board, the state’s academic and athletic governing body. In 1987, he filled in as the varsity basketball coach for what was to be his last coaching opportunity. There he compiled a record of 31-19 (.620) and took his team to the Arizona 1A State Championship Tournament. Following his tenure at Joseph City, he also served as Principal at Bagdad and Florence High Schools in Arizona. He finished his career as Principal at Spring Ridge Academy in Mayer, Arizona, where he was instrumental in obtaining accreditation for this college preparatory therapeutic boarding school for teenage women. As an educator, Joe invested in his students’ learning and success. In his 60 years in education he was known to mentor and counsel many students beyond the confines of the classroom. He inspired students, staying connected with them well beyond graduation, and offering his guidance and sage advice. As an administrator, he led successful programs and earned the respect of his peers and educators alike. As a coach, Joe helped developed successful basketball programs at Marian Central, St. Philip Basilica, Eastridge, Bloom, and Joseph City High Schools. Joe was one of the original founders of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association in 1971. He had the honor of coaching three talented Sweet Sixteen teams in the IHSA state tournament. Several of his players went on to have successful careers in the NCAA (DePaul University, University of Illinois, SIUE, and Wayne State). Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Mary Noel Durkin, and brother-in-law, Joseph Durkin of Northborough, Massachusetts. Joe is survived by a loving extended family including his wife, Virginia (“Gini”)(Johnstone) Gubbins, whom he married June 16, 1990; brother-in-law, Jim Johnstone of Phoenix, Arizona; his children, Joseph (Lynda Salm) Gubbins, III, of Kankakee, Illinois, Colin Gubbins (Carol Wolf), of Glenview, Illinois, Matthew Gubbins, of Bourbonnais, Illinois, Paul Gubbins, of Springfield, Missouri; his step-children, Leslie (Bill) Bohi of Payson, Arizona and Julia M. Rubin (Jim) Hansen, of Maui, Hawaii; his grandchildren, Lily Gubbins, Joseph X. Gubbins, IV, Patrick Gubbins, Charles Gubbins, Caroline Gubbins, Carly Gubbins, Haley Gubbins, Connor Gubbins, Kevin Gaumnitz, Heather (Bohi) Barnett, Peter “Chaz” Rubin Hansen; great-grandchild, Waylon Barnett; and many nieces and nephews. Interment services will be held in Arizona on Friday, April 5, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. at All Saints Episcopal Church, 6300 N. Central Avenue in Phoenix. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Paradise Church, 4242 E. Greenway Road in Phoenix. Visitation will also be held in Illinois on Saturday, April 13, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Schreffler Funeral Home, 1900 W. Court Street in Kankakee.