Darrel 'Cubby' Cubbison remembered for his sincerity, compassion

NEW CONCORD — For many, it's easy to describe the kind of person Darrel Cubbison was.

"It's unique to be that sincere," said Brian Bennett, who grew up next door to Cubbison.

Cubbison, known by many simply as "Cubby," died Sunday. He was 84.

Those close to him say him say the New Concord High School graduate was a warm, genuine person. To the community at large, he's known as the voice of the Muskingum County Blue Ribbon Fair.

He was elected to the fair board in 1972 and became board president six years after that. In 2019, he was inducted into the Ohio Fairs Hall of Fame.

Dave Kreis, who now serves as president of the board, said Cubbison could always be found greeting visitors, passing out pamphlets and announcing fair events over the PA system. Each year, he took to the grandstand to introduce the music entertainment act.

"He never did anything for himself, but he was there for everybody else," Kreis said. "He was a very caring and gracious leader."

Cubbison grew up as a member of 4-H and Future Farmers of America. Kreis said there was no aspect of the fair he didn't touch, but he was particularly fond of the animals.

He was the member services manager of Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative for nearly to 30 years. Brian Hill, manager and CEO, recalls the influence his positive attitude had on the workplace.

"He always had a way of lifting you up if things weren't going so well. He was just a very positive individual," Hill said. "You always knew if you sent Cubby out on an upset customer, things were going to be OK. He always had a way of taking care of problems without upsetting anybody."

The company would lobby in Columbus and Washington D.C., and Cubbison always had an ability to build relationships and trust with people, Hill said. "He was a great representative of this community, a community-minded individual."

Bennett was good friends with Cubbison's son and said Cubbison was like a second father to him. The two later went on to work together at Guernsey-Muskingum Electric for 17 years.

Building professional relationships came naturally to Cubbison, Bennett said, but "it wasn't just building networks and relationships for personal gain. He was sincerely compassionate.

"He always worked to bring people together," Bennett said. "Others would get up and walk away, but he would always work to bring people together."

Bennett will remember him for his sincerity, kindness and perseverance. 

"A lot of folks would get frustrated to form a solution, he would keep working; he would keep working to find the fit," Bennett said. "He would never give up."

ecouch@gannett.com

740-334-3522

Twitter: @couchreporting