MAURICE RUBENICK

With shattered broken hearts we announce the unexpected passing of Mr. Maurice (Morris) Richard Rubenick on December 24th, 2025 at age 78. Born January 20th, 1947, son #2 to Alec and Mary Rubenick, a gift to his mother on her 25th birthday. Maurice grew up in the city's East End. He was very proud to be an East Ender, making many memories and lifelong friends growing up. He attended Ogden Street School and Northwood High School. He Built his own Chopper in his mom's kitchen, which started his love for Harley-Davidsons, during this time he met the love of his life Judy Childs and started his career as an Ironworker, they were married March 18th, 1966, soon thereafter they started their family welcoming their first child Roberta. They purchased their forever home in the East End to raise the family. He was a very proud 60 year member of Ironworkers local 759, work took him all over North America continuing to make lifelong friends along the way. An accident in 1972 knocked him down, however his stubborn determination had him back on his feet to the job he loved, up working on the steel. In 1973 their second child William was welcomed to the Family. Another Love was fishing and in 1977 he was a proud founder of the East End Fish Club, The EEFC New Year's parties and Kab Lake fish derbies were the greatest times and are still fondly remembered by those of us that were lucky enough to attend. In 1988 he had another accident that left him with permanent spinal cord damage and a paraplegic. It changed his trajectory in life bringing him to be an advocate for people with disabilities, he was involved on several committees in the city, his skills and knowledge helped him to help others with disabilities life a little easier. He won awards on committees for the work that he had done in promoting inclusion in our community. He was always a strong advocate for change, and better quality of life for people living with disabilities, he was a mentor at St. Joe's for those who were Injured and trying to rebuild their life offering a friendly ear, advice and any other help he could offer and if he couldn't he would find someone that could, again making life long friends. He made huge impacts on those he met and helped out along the way. Nothing would stop him from doing the things he wanted to do whether it was building a garage in his garage or hanging in his chair from a chain fall in the garage while looking for something in the rafters, modifying a boat to spend the yearly week long trip on Lake Nipigon with his brothers.

He could build anything and when needed he would call upon his brothers and his life long friend Lorne Jeffers for solutions/ideas. Maurice was one of a kind, with a magnetic personality when you met him you never forgot him, he put others needs before his own and at times was generous to a fault. He made friends in all walks of life from dignitaries to those down on their luck, continuing making new friends until his passing.

He leaves behind his wife Judy, daughter Roberta, son Will, brothers Alex and Steven, sisters Crissy and Martha, in-laws Barb Rubenick, Don Childs and Leona Childs and their families.

Predeceased by his father Alec Rubenick, mother Mary Zaroski Rubenick Small, 2nd father Nick Small, brother Mike, sister-in-law Celina, nephew Greg. In-laws Evelyn and George Childs, sister-in-law Pat Childs, brother-in-law David Childs and other extended family members.

He also lost a number of close friends over the years, I'm sure there are a lot of people greeting him on the other side… I can hear his friend Norm Trevisanutto's voice: "Rubenick WTF are you doing here?!" Family and friends and the community have lost a great man; life will never be the same without him. We will miss him every day of our lives.

A gathering for family and friends will be held at a later date. Donations may be made to Kitty Kare at 745 N. James St., Thunder Bay, ON P7C 5M7 or any charity of your choice.

Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com