Michael Paul Rubashkin, 63, of Wiscasset, passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family, after a brief illness on Aug. 29.
Mike was born on Sept. 2, 1949 in Graz, Austria. With his parents, Paul and Maria (Szaraz) Rubashkin, he immigrated (via Ellis Island, N.Y.) to Shelburne Falls, Mass. He became a U.S. citizen in 1958 and graduated from Turner’s Falls High School in 1967.
Mike served his country from 1969-1971 as a U.S. Marine Corps officer, obtaining a rank of Lance Corporal. He attended Barrington College, where he received a Bachelors of Arts in Education and continued on to the University of Connecticut (Storrs), receiving a Masters in Education. Later in his career, he pursued an advanced certificate in education administration through the University of Southern Maine.
Mike started his teaching career on the island Vinalhaven and proceeded to educate two generations of students throughout the Mid Coast Region of Maine, spending the last several years of his career at Thomaston at Oceanside West High School.
He loved teaching and took pride in sharing the joys of literature with his students, as well as annually torturing them with his own version of a favorite Christmas carol: Igor the Magic Aardvark. His most prized students were his two grandsons, Anthony and Tristan, over whom he and his wife, Sue, have permanent guardianship.
During the summer, Mike recovered from the school year’s “post-grammatic stress disorder” by enjoying the outdoors, gardening, working odd jobs to keep busy, as well as writing soon-to-be-published children’s stories.
In addition to spending time with family and friends, Mike loved the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics and sports in general. He enjoyed being a Cub/Scoutmaster for Richmond’s Troop 610 with his sons, and Boy Scouts with his grandsons. His quick wit and dry humor persevered, and he remained a wry punster to his last days.
He was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Maria Rubashkin; and brother, Alexander Rubashkin.
He is survived by his wife and soul mate, Susan (Courtemanche) Rubashkin; children, Christina (Rubashkin) Look and husband Charlie, Nicholas Rubashkin and husband Drew Banks, and Paul Rubashkin and wife Jessica Rubahskin; grandchildren, who were his pride and joy, Joshua Beaulieu, Anthony and Tristan Burnham, and Ellie Rubashkin; brother, Stan Rubashkin and wife Rose Mae Carrizal-Rubashkin of Channelview, Tex.; four-legged companion, Max; and a large extended family including multiple nieces and nephews throughout the U.S. as well as Hungary.
Visiting hours were Sept. 1 at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave, Gardiner. A mass of Christian burial was celebrated Sept. 2 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Gardiner.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s name may be made to Tri-County Literacy, 34 Wing Farm Parkway, Bath, ME 04530.
