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RUBIN MARCUS Obituary

RUBIN MARCUS 1921 - 2013 Rube grew up in the Depression and saw everything in his life as a bonus. When asked how he was, he would tell you unabashedly that he was "splendid" or "never better". With his wife Pearl (deceased), he raised 6 kids - Rae, Charlie, Amy, Henry, Stanley and Andy - and delighted in their spouses and his 7 grandkids and 4 great-grandkids. He was the dad who came home with treats in his pockets and turned every task into a game. He played Simon Says all the way to the streetcar stop. He made hamburgers shaped like hotdogs and his version of hide and seek was to hide one kid in the bottom of the laundry basket or at the back of a shelf and send the others to find them. He was an electrician by trade, yet for years our kitchen light had a pull string. He would fix almost everything with gaffer tape and a hockey stick. If you got up early on a Saturday morning you could go with him on the streetcar for breakfast, a shoeshine and grocery shopping at the St. Lawrence Market. When the Market opened up the basement he rented a stall and for 40 years he happily ran his shop. As recently as last week, at 92 years old, he was still going in to work. It was his joy to be there and know his customers. He was known to everyone as Rube the Rice Man. The great heartbreak in his life was the early death of his daughter Rae and then his son Henry. He sustained himself by going to work and surrounding himself with customers and friends. His family will all be gathering for an appropriately unpretentious celebration of Rube at the St. Lawrence North Market on Wednesday, June 5th at 2 p.m. We will be sharing Rube stories. Friends are welcome to join us. If you have a Rube story you are invited to tell it. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Food Bank or bring some non- perishable food to the memorial.

Published by Toronto Star from Jun. 3 to Jun. 5, 2013.

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Memories and Condolences
for RUBIN MARCUS

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8 Entries

Amy and family
Rube was a very important part of our mum's life for many years - mine as well whenever I was in Toronto. A stop at his shop was an important part of the Saturday agenda and he always had a smile and a kind word for all who stopped by. I know you will all miss him but you will all have wonderful forever memories of his long life and time with you all.
Jan Mears

Jan Mears

June 11, 2013

My family got a smile and a good word from Rube every one of our Market days since we moved to St. Lawrence thirty years ago. He will be missed by our whole community. My condolences to his family,
from loyal customer Debora Selinger

June 8, 2013

Rube will be missed by everyone who met him. He always had a joke to share, some good advice, and was proud and loved his family very much. My deepest condolences to the Marcus family. With lots of love XX.

John Guglielmo

June 7, 2013

Rube's buoyant spirit lives on in his offspring.

June 5, 2013

I only knew Mr. Marcus as a customer at the St. Lawrence Market but I knew enough to know that he was a kind, caring and decent man who will be missed by anyone who had the chance to come in contact with him. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sylvia Muir

June 5, 2013

So sad I will no longer see him at the market. RIP Rube.
My deepest condolences to his family.

Diana Demers

June 3, 2013

What a lovely tribute to Rube -- thanks for such a heartwarming story. I am sorry to hear of his passing, but will treasure my Rube's rice recipe book all the more! All the best to his family.

Moira MacDonald

June 3, 2013

I knew him only as a customer of Rube's Rice at St. Lawrence Market, yet the mention of Rube's name brings warmth to my heart. He really was a light. I'm so glad to have met him. My condolences to his family.

Christine Almeida

June 3, 2013

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