Michael Luby - Obituary

ichael Grattan Luby, 78, a 24-year resident of Edgewater and previously of University Park, died of complications from prostate cancer April 18 at Anne Arundel Medical after a 15-month illness. Born Nov. 11, 1929, in Concordia, Kan., he attended high school in Kansas and Lima, Peru, and graduated from St. Mary's High School in Hagerstown in 1947. He attended the University of Maryland University College. He was employed as a senior logistics manager for the Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., from 1961 to 1988. He was proud to have been a member of the Apollo Space Program team, developing and supporting the ships that tracked all Apollo space flights. He made significant contributions to the development of modern supply and logistics systems for the Navy, while managing logistical support for the construction and operations major ship classes. Mr. Luby served in the Army Air Corps, and received a medical discharge following a training accident in 1948. Mr. Luby was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Davidsonville, the University of Maryland's Terrapin Club, and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid Maryland football and basketball fan and was a football season ticket holder for over 45 years. He loved history, and had extensive knowledge of the Civil War and the Irish Republican Movement, in which many of his ancestors played a key role. He also enjoyed fishing and loved the Chesapeake Bay. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Elizabeth "Betty" M. Luby; one son, Michael John Luby of Bowie; and two grandsons. Friends are invited to Michael's Life Celebration at The George P. Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Tuesday, April 22, from 1:00 to 3:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, April 23 at 11:00 A.M. at Holy Family Catholic Church, 826 W. Central Ave., Davidsonville, MD. Interment Arlington National Cemetery on May 21, 2008 at 11:00 A.M.