Obituaries

Stanley Rubenstein

Stanley Rubenstein of Cutchogue died Sept. 30, 2013, as a result of myocardial infarction. He was 86 years old.

He was born Aug. 24, 1927, in Brooklyn to Eli and Elsie Rubenstein. He was a beloved son, husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. Until the time of his death, Stanley was physically and mentally fit and enjoyed life to its fullest.

Stanley Rubenstein

He grew up in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn and graduated from Boys High School in 1945, then joined the Navy and served at the end of World War II. After the war, he earned a degree from City College of New York. He later pursued graduate work, earned a teaching certificate from Queens College, studied further at Stony Brook University and became an adjunct professor at C.W. Post College in Brookville, N.Y.

In 1951, as the Korean conflict was underway, he rejoined the Navy and served on the battleship USS Missouri. He spent the early part of his career as an owner/operator of a milk distribution route in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn while attending school in the field of education. In 1963, he began work as a history teacher at Oceanside (N.Y.) High School, where he remained until his retirement in 1983.

As a man who always furthered his quest for knowledge and education, he then began his involvement with the Henry George School of Social Science in New York City, studying single-tax theory. This led to the creation of the school’s Long Island extension and, in 1989, his promotion to director of the New York City campus. During his time with the school he wrote numerous articles (which can be found on the School of Cooperative Individualism website), providing a deeper insight into the thinking and teachings he so thoroughly enjoyed. During his association with Hofstra University he worked with Jeff Krauss, who ran the radio station, and interviewed such notable personalities such as Abe Beame, former mayor of New York City.

On Oct. 17, 1957, he married the love of his life, Barbara Bryant. They began their married life in Bayside, Queens, before moving to Long Island, living in Plainview from 1960 to 1983. After raising five wonderful children, they moved to Cutchogue, building a beautiful home where Stanley became fully involved in his garden, one of his passions. Up until his passing, family members said you could always see Stanley spending time in the yard.

During his time on the North Fork, Stanley and his wife became involved with numerous organizations, commenting, “This has become a very rewarding retirement for us.” They were very involved with the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Society, where Stanley served as president from 2001 to 2005. He was also the host of the local television program “Our Time,” interviewing numerous local authors and businessmen, including Bud Schulberg and Arthur Laurents. He also volunteered at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport and enjoyed interacting with staff members and patients.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, he is survived by three daughters and their families: Sharon and her husband, Geoff, of Cape Cod, Mass., Kim White of New Milford, Conn., and her boyfriend, Jim, and Courtney, of the Bronx; two sons, Jamie and his wife, Beth, of Atlanta, Ga., and Jordan, of Santa Monica, Calif.; and five grandchildren: Derek White of New Milford, Jarred White, attending the University of Dayton in Ohio, Caleigh White, attending the University of Little Rock in Arkansas, and Sam and Jake Rubenstein of Atlanta. He is also survived by his brother, Albert Robbins and his wife, Fran, of Lawrence, N.Y., and his dear sister-in-law Pat Ailstock of Norfolk, Va.

The family wishes to thank all of their dear friends for their love and support during this difficult time. They said, “Stanley was a remarkable man. He enjoyed so many things, always looking forward to learning more about the world in which he lived. Stanley was a true Renaissance man! He toiled in his garden, cultivated his mind and planted seeds of friendship and goodwill to all who came his way. Stanley’s spirit will never leave this earth and the world is a better place because of his life. He will forever be missed.”

Funeral services were held Oct. 4 at Coster-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. Interment followed at Calverton National Cemetery.

This is a paid notice.