Theodore John Golubowski III

Teddy was born on January 31, 1998, to Donna McKinnon and Ted Golubowski. He grew up in Toms River, and attended school at Washington Street Elementary School, Toms River Intermediate South, Toms River High School South, and Donovan Catholic High School, where he graduated in 2016.

Teddy held a lifelong passion for sports, and began playing football as a Toms River Raider when he was five years old. Teddy played for both the South and Donovan Catholic football teams, and continued to play during his time at McDaniel College, where he graduated in 2020. While football was the main passion of Teddy’s life, he also played baseball, volleyball, ran track and field, and wrestled. Throughout all of his athletic endeavors, Teddy remained driven yet humble, both a loyal teammate and a natural leader.

For many years, Teddy worked as an employee of the Borough of Lavallette through the Department of Public Works. In the fall of 2024, Teddy began to pursue a new calling, and applied to become a police officer and serve his community. He entered the Ocean County Police Academy in March of 2025, where he excelled greatly through both his intellect and physical ability. He served as Class Leader, and was extremely dedicated throughout his time at the Academy. The morning of his diagnosis, despite debilitating pain, Teddy had planned to drive to the Academy to be properly dismissed, dressing himself and ignoring his own pain in respect to the Academy’s rules. Upon his diagnosis, Teddy’s major concern had nothing to do with his health or the battle ahead, but was only about his inability to finish out his time at the Academy.

Those who know Teddy will remember him for the quiet ease with which he lived. He was honest, humble, and always kind. When life was unfair, Teddy never felt sorry for himself, but simply shrugged off any obstacles or misfortunes and kept moving. He was a good man and a valuable friend, and he touched many lives through the kindness that came so naturally to him. Above all, he was a loving son and brother, and a steady presence in the lives of those who loved him.

Teddy was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Theodore Golubowski I, Murdoch William McKinnon III, and Gil Helvitson.

He is survived by his mother Donna McKinnon; father Theodore Golubowski Jr. and his wife Victoria; siblings, Emily Fulcher and her husband Philip, Olivia Golubowski, and Elliott Golubowski; niece, Genevieve Fulcher; grandmother Barbara Terregino and her husband Steve; grandmother Betty Helvitson; and a group of wonderful friends who loved him dearly.

Teddy is also survived by a large extended family, including: Murdoch William McKinnon IV and his wife Christina, Michael McKinnon, John Golubowski, Diane Hamilton and her husband Dennis, Kimberly Reece and her husband Artie, Chrissa Sierfeld, numerous cousins, and many other family members.

Services in memory of Teddy will be held on Monday, July 7th, from 2:00 to 6:00 P.M at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Homes at 703 Main Street, Toms River, New Jersey. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Teddy’s memory may be made to the GoFundMe organized in his name. These donations will be utilized to create a foundation to honor Teddy’s legacy. https://gofund.me/8a2d8b78

Teddy’s family would like to thank all who have supported and loved him throughout his life. The family would also like to thank the staff of Ocean University Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for their care of Teddy.