Raymond R. Kubly Jr.
October 18, 1933 – March 28, 2026
Raymond R. Kubly Jr. (“Pat”), age 92, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home on March 28th, 2026. Pat was born in Monroe, Wisconsin on October 18, 1933, to parents Raymond Sr. and Marguerite (Walsh) Kubly.
Pat enjoyed growing up in Monroe, often spending time on his grandparents’ and uncle’s farms east of town. Through high school he was involved in track and loved basketball. Later in life, he developed a love for tennis and played regularly.
As a boy, Pat spent many summers and falls with his family up in northern Wisconsin at the Northernaire resort owned by Carl Marty in Three Lakes, Wisconsin. There Pat developed a fondness for boating and spent much time on the water.
After moving into the former Judge Bingham house in Monroe in 1941, both Pat and his younger brother Mike became interested in photography and their father, Ray Sr., built them a small darkroom so they could develop photos. Photography, like many interests Pat developed as a young man, became a key skill that later contributed to Pat’s lifelong passion – The Swiss Colony, which his father started in 1926.
Pat attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he majored in physics and was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Pat became an ardent supporter of UW Athletics for the remainder of his life.
In 1946, Pat was introduced to flying when his father purchased a two-seat Cessna 140. He earned his pilot’s license at age 16, and flying became one of his great lifelong loves. While at UW, he joined the Air Force ROTC and was one of the few cadets who already knew how to fly.
After graduating in 1955, Pat served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. There he combined his love of photography and background in physics to study how nuclear blast radiation might affect reconnaissance film.
Shortly after being discharged from the Air Force in 1957, Pat’s parents asked if he would come back to Monroe to work in the family business. He agreed and ultimately worked at The Swiss Colony for more than 65 years.
In 1963, he married Shirley, with whom he celebrated 59 years of marriage before she passed away in 2022. Living first in rural Browntown, they moved back into Monroe just before their son Ryan was born. Pat and Shirley loved life in Monroe, especially their time with close friends and their “Gourmet Group”.
Pat dedicated his life to The Swiss Colony, which was later renamed Colony Brands. Calling it his life’s work would not be an exaggeration. Early on, he used his skills in photography and math from his physics degree, two very vital skills in a direct marketing catalog company, to help propel The Swiss Colony forward. He cared deeply about the company’s success, but even more about creating opportunities and a better quality of life for its employees and the Monroe community.
He is survived by his son Ryan, sister-in-law Billie, nieces and nephews Chip (Sally) Kubly, Molly (David) Fritz, Will (Beth) Kubly, Julie (Steve) Spadafora, Kerry (John) Bolger & Heather (Mark) Erlandson and numerous great-nieces and nephews as well as many Kubly cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley, his parents Ray & Marguerite, his brother Mike and nephew Charlie.
Per Pat’s wishes, no funeral will be held. The Kubly family wishes to express their overwhelming gratitude for the wonderful caregivers of Tracy Teske’s Visiting Angels Madison. Every day for several years, numerous Visiting Angels caregivers were with Pat day and night. A very special thanks to Ted Teske for his support and friendship while taking care of Pat.
Memorials may be made in memory of Pat Kubly to the Colony Brands Foundation, which supports Monroe and Green County, at 1112 7th Avenue, Monroe, WI 53566.
