John Anthony Hubly

John A. Hubly's incredible life came to an end May 20. A long-time resident of Columbus, John was an All-American swimmer, an accomplished golfer, a brilliant raconteur, and a loved father, grandfather and friend.

The eldest of three children of the late Dr. James W. Hubly and Lenore Hubly, John was born October 19, 1935 at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, where his father was a surgeon. He lived much of his youth in Battle Creek, MI, where he was a three-time state breaststroke champion, an All-American and, in 1952, was ranked the No. 1 prep breaststroke swimmer in the United States. At the University of Michigan where John was a member of Psi Upsilon fraternity, he was a leading member of the swim team and became a top candidate for the 1956 Summer Olympics. John, who friends often called "Blue," was a vocal supporter of Michigan athletics throughout his life and was Ohio's top recruiter for the U of M basketball team in the 70s and 80s. He had a custom-painted maize and blue helicopter to prove the point.

John was the President of Commonwealth Capital Corporation, a diversified real estate investment and development firm. The causes he championed included programs for affordable housing, childcare and progressive early education.

He was always larger than life; a dreamer and a do-er who played by his own rulebook. John once hired Evel Knievel to jump at a company event, he caught a 1069-lb marlin while deep sea fishing off the coast of Australia; he traveled the world with fabulous friends; he lived many years bi-continentally between Dublin, OH and Bellevue Hill in Sydney, Australia.

John was a proud member of YPO (Young Presidents' Organization), The Golf Club, The Columbus Club, Scioto Country Club and Muirfield Village Golf Club, where he headed multiple tournament committees during the inaugural years of the Memorial Tournament. Though he just missed this year's Memorial Tournament, his children will attend in his honor.

John is survived by his children Michael D. Hubly of Menlo Park, CA and Kristen Healey (Hubly) Young of Santa Barbara, CA; daughter-in-law Marta Nichols; son-in-law David Young; grandchildren Mira Hubly, Grant Hubly, Drake Young and Beck Young; brother William Hubly of Fort Lauderdale, FL; sister Linda Hubly of Chico, CA; first wife and mother of his children, Julie Helland of Upper Arlington and second wife, JoAnna Turner of Dallas, TX.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, May 29 from 4-6 pm at Schoedinger Northwest Chapel, 1740 Zollinger Road, Columbus, OH 43221. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his memory to the American Heart Association, PO Box 15120, Chicago, IL 60693 or online at donate.heart.org. Please visit www.schoedinger.com for further information.