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DANNY RUBIN Obituary
Once called, "The most dangerous man in America to American youth" by J. Edgar Hoover, Mortimer Daniel Rubin, known as Danny, died Tuesday, December 1, at the age of 84. Danny joined the Communist Party USA (CPUSA) during the McCarthy Era, moved by the idea of a political system based on social, racial and economic justice and equality. In that movement, to which he devoted the rest of his life, he met and married his life partner, Dorothy Cohan. The pair moved from Philadelphia to Brooklyn in 1960, where their children Rose and Joseph were born. Danny was a defendant in one of the McCarren Act cases that ultimately led to that law being struck down by the Supreme Court in the mid 1960s. Over the years, Danny took part in electoral campaigns at all levels, as well as every major social campaign from the Civil Rights Movement to opposing Bruce Ratner's Atlantic Yards project. He also served in many roles in the CPUSA, including as national organizational secretary and then national education secretary. He was active even this year. Danny loved Beethoven, chocolate, a good meal and The New York Times. He took pride in having met the great Paul Robeson twice. He was a gentle and affectionate father and grandfather who always had a hug and a kiss and a few choice words of advice. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; children, Rose and Joe; daughter-in-law, Dolores; and grandchildren, Hector, Jason, Jesse and Selena.
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Memories and Condolences
for DANNY RUBIN
Sponsored by His Loving Family.
Jennifer Block
December 3, 2021
I met him late in his life; Nevertheless, his impact on me was powerful.
I will never forget him.
Gabriel Falsetta
December 1, 2021
Dear Dorothy, Rose and family. I will never forget Danny. He was my mentor and comrade. I've have yet to meet someone with Danny's deep, deep understanding of the working class and the strategy and forward ideas to help develop socialism in the U.S., he was a Giant! He touched more lives than I believe he knew. Thanks to Danny we are closer to socialism today than ever! Rest in peace comrade.
Gabriel Falsetta
December 2, 2020
He was a giant of a human being. I learned so much from Danny. Most important he was a humanist, an intellect and a family man.... of the community and the world. To this day, his experience his knowledge are unmet by anyone I know. A communist lighting the way to the future. Rest in peace Danny.
Gabriel Falsetta
December 1, 2019
He was an exemplary human being... A giant in the Party leadership, a brilliant thinker who help countless people in his long and purposeful life! Miss you Danny.
Love and Peace to Danny's family.
Jennifer Block
November 30, 2019
Time passes yet the struggle you made your life's work remains; it carries us through the seemingly awesome work we have yet to do.
Chuck Mohan
November 30, 2019
Danny was a true internationalist. He is missed
Roger MARTIN
April 30, 2019
All my thoughts for this man of fight and honour.
I wonder if Danny or others people in the guest books have milited with Len and Esther Zinberg in NYC? I work on Zinberg (aka Ed Lacy) and search comrades who had known him. I need help!
With all my best regards,
Roger Martin (militant of French Communist Party)
Marilyn Becchetti
January 4, 2016
I will always remember Danny as a warm, thoughtful, dedicated leader in the struggle for a world shaped by and for working people everywhere and as a family friend during my years in New York. As all the messages here show, he will long be remembered for his activism, persistence and human kindness. My heartfelt condolences to Danny's family and his many comrades.
January 1, 2016
I am sorry that I was not able to attend the memorial. Someone who did attend told me that it was a very moving affair. I have some very fond memories of Danny and the projects we worked on together through the 70s and 80s. Again, my sincere condolences to Dot, Joe and Rose. Ted Reich
Diane Laison
December 31, 2015
I've already written in this book, but feel those remarks were inadequate. Danny was exceptional. A brilliant analyst and organizer, he was also an extraordinary listener. He listened to and spoke with everyone with kindness and with respect. He remembered people - how they had felt and what they had said - with amazing insight and kindness. He was a courageous, calm, profound, and truly humble person.
I dedicate this painting to Danny: "Endangered Species".....if you look carefully you will see the capitalists hiding in the bushes.....
Jeramy Turner
December 29, 2015
I only today learned of Danny's death as I saw signs on 8th Ave. pointing towards his memorial. How I wish I had known! This beautiful man was so extremely gracious and generous to me, knowing that we disagreed about many political concepts....he would discuss anything with great patience and endearing kindness. Here was a man who fulfilled a life's work. His family, his comrades, all of us should be exceedingly proud of his temerity and humanity.
Carol Ramos Widom
December 27, 2015
Danny was one of the treasures of our working class - as a friend, mentor and life - long fighter for socialism. He is truly missed.
December 26, 2015
I am saddened by the passing of my comrade and good friend Danny Rubin. I worked with him for over 55 years. He was a powerful political organizer and thinker. He stood up to government repression. spent his last period in the leader ship of NY District and a member of the Nationai Committee of the CPUSA. He was a hero to so many who knew him. Condolences to family and all the friends and comrades who loved him. Jarvis Tyner and family
Seymour Joseph
December 25, 2015
Danny was one of those people who are indispensable to a movement if it is to move forward. Aside from his intellect, which was incredible, his dedication to the struggle for a socialist world despite his physical handicaps was unwavering.
December 22, 2015
Danny was one of my first teachers in Marxism/Leninism in Philadelphia when he was assigned to help pull the youth movement together under the terrible times of McCarthyism. He and Dottie his wife will always be dear to my heart. My heartfelt sorrow for his loss goes to Dottie and the rest of his family.
Rookie Perna
Rochelle Rice
December 22, 2015
Condolences to you and your family, Rose. Your father was incredibly special. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Gene Tournour
December 19, 2015
My condolence to Danny' family. He was a fierce foe of racial injustice and the ruthless domination of capital.
For over 50 years Danny has was an inspiration to me and an example of how a committed Communist should conduct one's life.
Danny will long be remembered as a fearless fighter for working people.
Lionel Libson
December 12, 2015
Danny's passing marks closure for a significant chapter of my life. My condolences to Dotty...
Michael Arney
December 12, 2015
Condolences to Rose and all family members surviving Danny. I have very found memories of working with him on the newsletters for the 25th Convention (1991) of the CPUSA, on the full-page New York Times ad in support of Affirmative Action, and on conversations with him as to his rejoining the Party and his urging of me to do the same. The movement has lost a very good member.
December 11, 2015
We will miss him. Danny was a kind, loving and brilliant human and communist. The best edifice to our friend Danny are the movements for a just nation.
Claire Carsman
December 11, 2015
I knew Danny well for many years. We didn't always agree but there was always respect in knowing that we were working for the same thing. His death is a loss.
Jim williams
December 11, 2015
Danny did a lot of good in his life, fought hard for the rights of working people and the oppressed.
Gabriel Falsetta
December 10, 2015
My deep condolences to Danny's family.
We have lost a brilliant mind and a humanist. Danny was a humanist first, from this foundation he devoted his life to the betterment of the working class here in America and for all those suffering from an inhuman system.
I have been fortunate to know Danny and to have worked with him and to have learned from him. We have lost a giant of our Party. He will be deeply missed
but his legacy lives in the work of the Party.
Randy Shannon
December 9, 2015
Danny Rubin was one of my most important mentors. He gave me the kind of practical advice about political action that reflected a deep understanding of the role of the left in political struggle. He also shared many useful ideas that guided my education on the question of organization, tactics, and strategy. He was a trusted friend and comrade.
Tina Nannarone
December 8, 2015
Danny was a warm and wonderful man, drawing us closer to a life of struggle with his knowledge and interest. His thinking was clear and his commitment to socialism and ending racism was unwavering. Danny Rubin, you live on in our hearts and our deeds.
Mark Solomon
December 8, 2015
Danny had been a brilliant student at Swarthmore College during the high Cold War years where he jousted in debate with later-to-be presidential candidate Michael Dukakis. Danny could have had a lucrative career as a lawyer, but chose a very different path of life-long work for a socialist future grounded in justice for all working people. He was a wise teacher, an indefatigable foe of all forms of discrimination and bigotry, and a thoughtful, patient listener to the thoughts of others. He had a calm exterior, but beneath, a passion for uniting people and a huge capacity for the hard work of advacing the cause of democratic rights and equality. Many who envision and work for a just world and a genuinely human epoch have been influenced by Danny Rubin. And that influence will continue to inspire work for that better world.
December 8, 2015
It is with true shock and sadness that I learned of Danny's death. Though all of us are destined to leave this world, it is difficult for me to think of Danny as anything other than a young man. I met him in the radical youth movement of the 1960s and in that period he was truly a mentor to me and many other young people. His concern for working people and his organizational abilities, his commitment to social change and his role in building a socialist youth movement in our country had a deep impact on me. In a very real way he profoundly impacted my life. I will truly never forget him.
My most heartfelt condolences, to Dottie, Rose and Joe.
Mike Zagarell
Joan Kosloff
December 8, 2015
We were the youth! when I first met Danny. His gentle, serious style encouraged us to read, question and come up with the answers. He gave us confidence to organize, protest and speak out. He did good. I send my heartfelt condolences to Dottie and the family. How blessed you were to have Danny so close...how lucky was the movement!
Chris Owens
December 7, 2015
Danny was a pragmatic idealist who wanted to change the world. I respected that, I admired him, and I am honored and grateful that he thought my political perspectives and dreams were worthy of his support. Danny was knowledgeable, philosophical ... and funny. I liked that, too. Danny made a positive contribution to the ongoing struggle of oppressed peoples in an oppressive society. He had a family he loved and that is the ultimate blessing. R.I.P. Danny.
Danny Rubin
Joe Rubin
December 7, 2015
I have been so fortunate for 53 years to have this inspirational man, tirelessly committed to fairness, equality and justice as my father. With all he put into the movement, he never forgot his commitment to family. I can't remember a time when he didn't put his work aside to help or talk to me. I continue to carry him with me with love, respect and admiration.
Phylicita Walker
December 7, 2015
Danny Rubin was a man of integrity and high moral standards. His commitment and dedication to work was impeccable. He will surely be missed by everyone with whom he came in contact. My condolences to his beloved family and friends.
Jezra Kaye
December 7, 2015
For all of his political accomplishments, Danny's greatest gift to this world may well be his family loving, creative, powerful, justice-seeking people who do his memory proud.
Rest in peace, Danny.
Betty Smith
December 7, 2015
I knew and worked with Danny for over 55
years, and will miss his thoughts and his
presence. He had a long, productive life and helped make our world a better
place.
E.E.W. Clay
December 7, 2015
Danny will be remembered as he selflessly championed the great Henry Winston-the Angela Yvonne Davis recruiter, he has now joined the immortals of the working class. Peace to the family
Gary Goff
December 7, 2015
A good neighbor, he was committed to the struggle.
David Laibman
December 7, 2015
Danny was a major figure in the youth movement of the late 1950s, when I first came of age. He was an active presence in our movement from then on. I remember his humor, his energy, his rock-solid commitment to socialism, to working and oppressed people, to progress. He will be part of our work going forward.
Jay Schaffner
December 7, 2015
Dot, Rose, Joe and family - deepest sympathy and condolences. I first met Danny 45 years ago, on the eve of the founding of the YWLL. Thru the years working with him, I learned from him, and also saw the love that he had for all of you, and you for him. Danny was a unique and complicated person who helped shape my life. We would agree, disagree, argue. I regret that over the years, through illnesses and changes in organizations that we drifted apart. Danny's life touched so many people.
Kaisa Kuurne
December 7, 2015
"Love is the only reality"
(Deepak Chopra)
My thoughts are with you and your family.
December 7, 2015
I met Danny in 1974 at 23 West 26th Street. His office was in the back on the left of the first floor, near the spiral staircase, a few yards past Jim Jackson's office. Danny had guts, especially shown circa 1989-1992, my condolences to Rose and Joe
Danny Rosenberg
Jesse Elmer Kern
December 7, 2015
What a Guy ! He said "Welcome to The Party Jesse" for that I say Thank You brother Danny!
gary hicks
December 7, 2015
Comrade Danny....Hamba Kahle. Go well!
Gary Hicks, Berkeley CA
Danny speaking during the People's Worlds 2014 Better World Awards at SEIU 1199's MLK Hall
Estevan Bassett-Nembhard
December 7, 2015
I worked with Danny in the leadership of the NYS Communist Party(CPUSA) during the last years of his life and add myself to the long list of fighters for the 99% he trained. Danny lives on in us! Rest in peace my comrade and friend. Danny Rubin presente!
Niki Smith
December 7, 2015
What an honor to be called by J.Edgar Hoover "the most dangerous man in America to American youth". Long live Danny's spirit.
Chuck Mohan
December 7, 2015
My condolences to the Rubin family. I first met Danny in 1976 and later his wife Dorothy. He was dedicated in the struggle to make the USA a more just and equal society. He never wavered in his commitment. He will be missed but never forgotten
Aeisha
December 6, 2015
Thank you for commitment and legacy
Erica Smiley
December 6, 2015
Always available with a patient ear long after I left New York. The world is a better place for having had Danny in it.
Peter Gale
December 6, 2015
Peter L. Gale - no one who knew Danny will forget him, his ideas, his writings, and his political activism.
Jennifer Block
December 6, 2015
A vital piece of history has fallen away...
I hope we will continue is work with the same rigor...
My condolences to all...
Carolyn Black
December 6, 2015
Danny Rubin: a friend, a comrade and along with Fanny Lou Hamer and Anne Braden the best organizer I ever knew.
Richie Hoyen
December 6, 2015
Wonderful comrade.Had many conversations and exchanges over some forty years.A brilliant analytical mind. Always the strategist and tactician of the movement for change at various stages of our struggles.
Ted Reich
December 6, 2015
I am saddened to learn of Danny's death. I first met him in I think in 1959 or 1960. He had come up to NYC to help organize young people through PYOC. I later worked with him on numerous projects through the years. My condolences to the entire family.
Emile Schepers
December 6, 2015
Danny Rubin's passing is a great loss to the whole of the working class in the United States. He will be sorely missed.
Danny
Dolores Elkin
December 6, 2015
Danny was a great father in law, Grandfather, and one of my personal heroes. He will live on in my memories.
Danny
December 6, 2015
martha Bragin
December 6, 2015
Rosey dear, my heartfelt condolences to you, to your mom to Jason and Hector. I know what a big hole this will leave in your hearts.My thoughts are with you...
Chris Elliott
December 6, 2015
Danny was a patient educator and a thinker with a sober, scholarly analysis of history and the present moment.
Diane Laison
December 6, 2015
I thought of Danny as a mentor when I was a young woman. I remember the patience and insight in his responses to some ideas I expressed then (which I can hardly believe today that I actually once held.) I am very sad to learn of his death. I embrace his wonderful wife Dorothy and his family and send my hugs.
Michele Artt
December 6, 2015
Danny was a wonderful teacher and mentor, a warm and caring person who encouraged many to join the movement to build a better world. We will carry on. Sending my love and condolences to the family and friends.
Irma Davila
December 6, 2015
My prayers are with you and your family, Rose. Dan was a good person.
Bill Appelhans
December 6, 2015
Wasn't that a time!
Alicia Rivera -George
December 6, 2015
Tito Rosie my condolences to you on your loss my prayers will be with you
Marilyn Albert
December 6, 2015
I will always remember Danny.
Scott Marshall
December 6, 2015
An outstanding fighter for economic and social justice we will mss him while his work lives on.
Sandy Schaffer
December 6, 2015
Danny was a great person to talk to and listen to. He had an interesting perspective on life
Andrew Davila
December 6, 2015
Our love and prayers go out to you Titi Rosie. From Andrew Davila and family.
Eric Brooks
December 6, 2015
Please accept my warm condolences on Danny's passing.
Timothy Johnson
December 6, 2015
RIP
Denice Miles
December 6, 2015
I had the opportunity to work with Danny for several years. I will miss his contribution to our struggle for a better world.
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