It is with heavy hearts that we share the sudden loss of Mr. Maurice (Morris) Richard Rubenick on December 24th, 2025, at the age of 78. Born January 20th, 1947, he was the second son of Alec and Mary Rubenick-a special gift to his mom on her 25th birthday. Maurice grew up in the East End of the city and took great pride in being an East Ender, making many memories and lifelong friends along the way. He went to Ogden Street School and Northwood High School. Back then, he built his own chopper right in his mom’s kitchen-that’s where his love for Harley-Davidsons began. During this time he met Judy Childs, who would become the love of his life. He started working as an Ironworker, and they got married on March 18th, 1966. Soon after, they welcomed their first child Roberta and bought their forever home in the East End to raise their family. Maurice was a proud member of Ironworkers Local 759 for over 60 years; work took him all across North America where he made many lifelong friends. An accident in 1972 set him back but did not keep him down-his stubbornness got him back up doing what he loved: working steel high above it all. In 1973 their second child William joined the family. Fishing became another big part of his life-in fact, in 1977 he helped start the East End Fish Club (EEFC). The EEFC’s New Year’s parties and Kab Lake fish derbies were some of the best times ever-and people lucky enough to be there still talk about them fondly today. In ’88 another accident left him with permanent spinal cord damage making him a paraplegic; it changed things for sure but also led him to become a strong advocate for people with disabilities around town. He served on several city committees where his knowledge helped improve lives for others facing challenges like his own. He won awards for promoting inclusion locally and was always pushing for better support systems and quality of life for those living with disabilities. At St Joe’s hospital he mentored folks recovering from injuries-offering advice or just a listening ear-and if he couldn’t help directly he’d find someone who could; again making close friendships along the way. Maurice truly made a difference wherever he went-even when building or fixing stuff at home you’d see him hanging from a chain fall in his garage looking through rafters or modifying boats so he could enjoy annual week-long trips on Lake Nipigon with his brothers.
He could build just about anything you asked for and whenever stuck he’d call on his brothers or longtime friend Lorne Jeffers to brainstorm solutions or ideas together. Maurice had this one-of-a-kind personality-magnetic really-and once you met him you didn’t forget him easily; always putting others before himself sometimes too generously even! His friendships spanned all kinds of people-from dignitaries right down to folks struggling through tough times-and until the very end he kept making new friends.
He leaves behind wife Judy; daughter Roberta; son Will; brothers Alex and Steven; sisters Crissy and Martha; as well as in-laws Barb Rubenick, Don Childs and Leona Childs along with their families.
He was predeceased by father Alec Rubenick; mother Mary Zaroski Rubenick Small; second father Nick Small; brother Mike; sister-in-law Celina; nephew Greg; plus in-laws Evelyn and George Childs;
sister-in-law Pat Childs; brother-in-law David Childs as well as other extended relatives.
Over time he’s lost quite a few close friends too-I’m pretty sure plenty are waiting up there.. I can almost hear Norm Trevisanutto say: “Rubenick WTF are you doing here?!” Family, friends & community have lost an incredible man-life simply won’t be same without him around daily-we’ll miss him forever.
A get-together with family & friends will happen later on down the road. Donations can be sent to Kitty Kare at 745 N James St., Thunder Bay ON P7C 5M7 or any charity close to your heart.
Condolences may be shared via www. nwfainc. com
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