Saul Rubenstein Obituary

Saul Rubenstein 1929 - 2009 PITTSFIELD Saul Rubenstein, 80 of Brookside Drive, passed away, peacefully on Aug. 20, at Berkshire Medical Center. He was born in 1929, in Troy, N.Y., son of Lewis Rubenstein and Esther Kovitz Rubenstein. Educated in Albany, N.Y., he attended Siena College and graduated from NY State College for Teachers, now SUNY Albany, in 1951. In 1952, Mr. Rubenstein started working in the toy department at W.T. Grant, and later Miller Merchandise Toy Wholesaler. In 1955, he began a 37 year career with Kaufman Brothers, which became Kay Bee Toys, then to Pittsfield, starting as a salesman. He later became Assistant Toy Buyer and, in 1973, was promoted to Head Toy Buyer. In 1986, he became Kay Bee's president, a position he held until he retired in 1989. Mr. Rubenstein was a leading force in the toy industry, respected by his colleagues and instrumental in raising contributions for Toy Manufacturers of America Charities. He gave invaluable support to the Schepen's Eye research Institute of Boston, and Riverview School in Sandwich, a school that his son Eric attended. Mr. Rubenstein is survived by Shirley Steinhart Rubenstein, his wife of 48 years; his three loving children and their families; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Karen Rubenstein of New York, N.Y., and their son, Jack; daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Steven Diamond of Westfield, N.J., and their children, Gabriel and Charlotte; son Eric Rubenstein of Clinton, Conn., and brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Sonia Rubenstein of Schenectady, N.Y. FUNERAL NOTICE: Services will be held Sunday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m. at the FLYNN & DAGNOLI-BENCIVENGA FUNERAL HOME, 5 Elm St., Pittsfield, MA 01201, with Cantor Robert Scherr, officiating. Burial will follow in the family plot at Pittsfield Cemetery. Friends will be received at Rubenstein residence, 36 Brookside Drive, Sunday, Aug. 23, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Donations may be made in Mr. Rubenstein's memory to Vista Vocational & Life Skills Center, 1356 Old Clinton Road, Westbrook, Conn., 06498, Hadassah, 402 East St., Pittsfield, MA, 01201, or to HospiceCare in the Berkshires, 369 South St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.

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Published by The Berkshire Eagle from Aug. 22 to Aug. 23, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Saul Rubenstein

9 Entries

michael bianco

August 24, 2009

Saul,

We who you cajoled, mentored and otherwise taught the toy business are far better off for having known you. We are diminished by your passing.

August 23, 2009

Dear Shirley and Family. We had a wonderful trusting relationship. Howard and Rena Cole

Michael Vallone

August 23, 2009

Saul, You were a great leader, and a legend in your oun time. you'll be Greatly missed..

August 23, 2009

Dear Shirley,

So sorry for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

Love Dale and Lori Cormier

Mary Ellen McDonald

August 23, 2009

To Saul's Family-
I remember thinking when I first met Saul that a man who could ride his bike from near Troy, NY to Route 102 in Lee and get to work on time, could do anything - and he could!
In my 12 years at Kay-Bee, I had the privilege of seeing Saul as a dynamic toy retailer, a generous supporter of charities, and a devoted family man. He will be greatly missed. My prayers are with you.

Burt and Lois Breakstone

August 23, 2009

Dear Shirley and family,

It is with extreme sorrow that we learned of the passing of Saul. Although we hadn't been in touch over the past few years, we thought of you guys often. During the good years when we saw you and Saul, it was always enjoyable and we always looked forward to our next get-together. Then as the years went on, with the exception of some business matters with which I consulted with Saul, we were unfortunately negligent in keeping in touch with our good friends. I am very sorry for that.

During the haydays of the toy industry, Saul was undoubtedly the best buyer and most knowledgeable person in the industry. If he were still in the business, KB Toys would still be a successful entity.

We will miss him and are proud that we had the privilege of knowing him and of being his friend and confident.

With Love,

Lois and Burt Breakstone

August 23, 2009

Shirley--- My heart goes outto you and your family on the passing of Saul..He was a very special man and much admired by my late husband Allen Berke and myself. My family wishes you all much peace.
All my love, Mickey Berke

Ken Cunniff

August 22, 2009

You have been my mentor, teacher and a great friend! You will be missed.

maryann ray larsen

August 22, 2009

You have been such a large part of our lives for so many years and will leave a large space in this world. We can not pass a KB store without thinking of the genius you showed in their growth, a robot without the remembering the wondering and delight you brought to Jared, the times we shared you, Shirley, Mare and I

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