James Michael Rubino, Jim was born in Chicagos’ Lying In Hospital on September 15, 1950 to George and Therese (Labriola) Rubino. He attended Eisenhower HS in Blue Island, Illinois and went on to study at Northern Illinois University for undergrad and graduate school. He received his degrees in City Planning and Urban Studies. After graduation, he became the assistant village manager for the Village of Bolingbrook, Illinois. He went on to work for Flying Tigers/FedEx and retired in 2006 as a beloved district sales manager.
Jim was a hard worker at everything he did and he had many, many interests in his life. He was an avid pickle ball player, a golfer, a kayaker, he was a gifted woodworker who built beautiful furniture for his home and family. In 2014 he designed and built his and his wife’s dream home with his own hands. He loved spending time with his family, enjoying lengthy phone calls with his daughters, 60’s music, taking meticulous care of his lawn and yard, taking camping trips across the country with his wife and he loved cookies!
His favorite accomplishments were raising his beautiful daughters and his commitment to his community. He was on community boards and he used his urban studies degree to improve the quality of the lake that he and Carol lived on. He was full of knowledge and was a lifelong learner of all things. He absolutely lived his life to.the.fullest every.single.day and was admired by many for the joy he exuded.
Jim was a loving husband to his wife of 45 years, Carol (Easton) Rubino, a proud Dad to his daughters; Jaime and her husband Michael Henry, adored Papa to granddaughters, Devin and Sloane Henry of Houston, TX, and daughter, Jaclyn and her husband Mike Fladmark of Minneapolis, MN, dear nephew, Ron Nagy and his faithful 4 legged best friend, shih tzu, Coopie. Jim also leaves behind his beloved cousins and many, many wonderful friends. His parents and his dear sister, Rita Nagy, preceded him in death.
Please join the family in a “Celebration of a Life Well Lived” at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt. Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 on Saturday, November 19th. A visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 PM, with a service honoring Jims’ life starting at 3:00 PM. A private Catholic Mass will be held at a later date.
The family is kindly asking that in lieu of flowers that a consideration of donations in Jim’s name to the 501c3 non profit organization, the Cardiovascular Research Foundation www.crf.org https://www.crf.org/crf/donate/donate-overview
GUESTBOOK
KAREL AND I EXPRESS OUR CONDOENCES TO ALL OF THE FAMILY. WE WILL MISS JIM AND COOPIE GOING AROUND THE LAKE IN THE MORNING AS WELL AS ON THE GOLF COURSE ON WEDNESDAY. HE WAS A LEADER OF OUR GOLF LEAGUE AND A GREAT COMPETITOR. HE WILL BE MISSED IN ALL OF HIS MANY ENDEAVORS AROUND THE LAKE. -DENNIS AND KAREL FINCH
So sorry for your loss. Jim was truly one of the nicest people I've ever known! His passing was truly a surprise and not a pleasant one. I will miss him. -Gregg Richardson
Carol I’m not really good at this but my deepest sympathies are for your family. Jim and I where the same age. I realize that we are m on the back nine Kramer gets pissed at this phrase but it’s the truth. I suspect that Jim’s outlook on life probably where very similar to mine I have seen my kids and grand children prosper I have been married to the love of my life for 52 years. I still work with my best friend Matt and cherish the time we have together. I know this is very difficult for you and the girls. Jim and you have had an amazing life together and Terri and I are blessed to have survived. The Lord has a plan for all of us and I can accept this I hope and pray that I should pass before her I would be at a total loss without her but life must go on our prayers are with you and the girls. -Steve Loftus
Oh, how we will miss our “Southsider” friend. The gifted Jim always amazed us with his wisdom, energy, craftsmanship, athleticism and thoughtfulness. We loved every hour we were able to spend with him and Carol. Carol, Jaime, Jaclyn and families, May God grant you comfort, strength and peace in the coming months and years as we mourn and miss our dearest Jim. -Warren and Mary Kuh
Carol, we are so sorry for the loss of your soulmate Jim! He was such a nice person and we hoped to get to know him better. Our thought are with you, the girls, tge grandkids and Cooper. Please don’t hesitate to call us if you need anything! Until we meet again in Heaven, Jim. Love, Tim and Jeanne Shaw
Carol and family, I am profoundly sorry for your loss. Jim was unparalleled in his value and commitment to the lake community. He approached everything with intelligence, patience, and thoughtfulness.I will miss his presence at the pickleball courts, both at play and for his insightful perspectives on the sidelines. And I will especially miss his laugh. -Claudia Rotroff
We were only able to know James through his daughter Jaime. From this we know he was extraordinary in every aspect of his life. We are so sad for the loss, and send all our love. -Lubeck family
So very sorry for the loss of your dear husband and your daughters father. Such an unexpected loss, we love you and pray for comfort and peace. -Love Tim and Brenda Steinmuller
Jim was a friend that I came to know playing golf at Indian Lake Hills GC and other local courses. He was a really good player and a strong competitor in our Master's Golf league. He maintained our golf league teams, scores and standings for many years. I miss him and will pray for him and his family. Hit 'em straight! Rest in peace. -Tom Torri
I was so deeply saddened to hear of Jim's passing. Jim was my Dad's loyal friend of nearly 40 years and I've known him almost my entire life. Jim not only set a great example for how to be a good friend, Dad and Husband for younger folks like me, but I truly believe he helped my Dad to be a better man as well. I'm not easily impressed, but Jim was truly impressive. What I'll remember most about him is how "buttoned up" he was... he was always on top of everything and somehow had more energy than people half his age. He not only always made time for his family and friends, but he also managed to always make plenty of time for his hobbies. He truly lived his life to the fullest and set an example for everyone who was lucky enough to know him. I'm so thankful I had a chance to get to know Jim, and I'll never forget his kindness, his generosity, his joy, and above all, his enduring example of how to live your best life. My deepest condolences to the Rubino family for your loss... and thank you for sharing Jim with all of us. -Ryan Bourke
Dear Carol, I have such wonderful memories of our friendship, and Jim was such a special man. I still laugh about our 7 day trip through the Southwest in his car in 1974--Pauline, Bob, Jim and me. A whirlwind of fun, but he had just met you and so wanted to be in two places at once! It was clear that he had fallen hard for this new woman we hadn't yet met. I am so glad we had more chances to be together during the years and our visit with you in Michigan was such fun. I will miss him in my life; despite the distances between us I thought of you both often. I loved seeing your posts on FB and how your family has grown. I know that the girls and your darling granddaughters will give you comfort during the sad time. Know that Jeff and I send our love. -Martha Melvoin
Words and thoughts cannot express our sorrow at your loss with the death of Jim. A partner, friend, confidant, father, and soulmate. May all the good times you have shared strengthen you at this time of farewell. While you can no longer hold Jim in your arms, you'll have all the beautiful memories to hold him forever in your hearts. While we cannot be with you physically, we will be with you in our hearts and prayers on the 19th. -Love Patrick and Mary Watkin
Dearest Carol, My heart could not be more broken for you and your beautiful family. It’s a little freaky how these two next-door-neighbor families can be having such similar circumstances in life and death to deal with. I am so sad to welcome you to a group that no spouse wants to join, but one that I welcome you to with open arms. What I cannot do is show up at your door with the proverbial Minnesota hot dish, as much as i would like to. If my health were better……..Jim…..always fiercely protective of you, Jaime, and Jaclyn, and several consecutive furry family members. Jim….always manicuring your lawn. Jim….trusting me to water his flower gardens in your absence. Jim….walking around the ‘hood conducting business with his headset on. Jim and Dan……struggling in our garage to install an obstinate garage door opener(Jim solved it!). Jim and Carol…..the eternal lovers who hosted wonderful gatherings and have been terrific, loving parents & grandparents. .I hold you in my heart as you deal with all the death certificate issues, all the time wanting him both at peace now and reunited with you later. I love you, Carol, Jaime, and Jacyln. -Sue Carlblom
Such a loss for the Rubino Family. A loss for the FedEx family, as well. I knew that Jim was a great family man among his many virtues. May he rest in peace. -Jim Jackson
May you find comfort and peace to face the days ahead and loving memories to hold in your heart.
The following Eskimo Proverb gives me comfort: Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down to let us know they are happy. -Fran Ganoe (Price)
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Jim, who was truly a wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Sending you love and hugs! -Allie and Tony Kubes
Dear Carol and family, We were all so surprised to receive your news of Jim's passing while you were in Iceland on vacation with Jaclyn and Mike. We are so sorry for your loss. We have thought of you and prayed for you frequently since November 7th when we received your note through our daughter Sarah. We have read that note over and over, imagining the scene of being away from home, dealing with a foreign medical system, coroner and government. But mostly, we imagined you holding him while he took his last breath. We cannot imagine what you have experienced since October 28th, but we do know one thing for sure-you and your family are loved and respected by many. We read Jim's obituary twice because reading it once was not enough to take in all he was. Clearly both of you impacted the lives of so many. Both of you served others in so many ways, and the phrase that jumped out at me was this: "beloved district sales manager for Federal Express". Yes, he was. For me personally he did not hire me but inherited me through a redistribution in the sales department structure. I do remember feeling bad for him but to my great surprise he was consistently fair, honest, kind, encouraging, a great teacher, coach and mentor. When Paul came into my life, you both were there, inviting us to your home, attending our wedding and visiting us in Rochester Minnesota after Paul's work took us there. Jim's celebration of life was yesterday, November 19th, and we are trusting all went well for your family. Now the path forward begins and our earnest prayer for you will be that your grieving will eventually be replaced with fond memories of "Beloved Jim Rubino". Sincerely, with Love and Blessings to You and Your family, Dede (Savage) Brushaber writing from Calgary Alberta Canada 11/20/2022
Dear, dear Carol…I met your Jim the same day I met Jaime. You, Dede and I were running the Christmas bazaar in the ORD In-Flight meeting room, and I came over to ride to Dede’s house with you. Jaime was a toddler, needed to take a nap, and was resisting the process with all her little body had! After we returned from Dede’s, Jim had come home from work and we said hello. I remember that he had a moustache and maybe sported a beard. It was a rushed meeting since you had to get dinner underway and I needed to beat the traffic back to Oak Brook, but it left a memory that lasts to this day. Another memory associated with our meeting: the Christmas Bazaar produced more than the selling of holiday items. Nine months later Jacklyn was born! Love you dearly, Carol, and my heart is with you as you endure this critical time. -Peggy Sheehan
