Retired U.S. Navy captain
Published in the February 8, 2018 edition
NORTH ANDOVER — Ralph Sidney Rubenstein, 83, of North Andover, and formerly of North Reading, passed away peacefully December 31, 2017 at High Point House Hospice in Haverhill, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
Ralph was a native of Philadelphia, the son of Louis and Hattie (Maslovich) Rubenstein. He graduated from Temple University and the Naval Postgraduate School. He served as a Naval Supply Corps Officer for 24 years, advancing to the rank of Captain. He served on the USS Noxubee, the USS Little Rock, and the USS Oriskany, and was the Commanding Officer at DCASR, Chicago.
After retirement from the Navy, Ralph was a financial planner for USPA & IRA. He was active in volunteer and social activities in North Reading and beyond. Ralph was well-known for his sense of humor, generosity, and great enjoyment of travel and sharing meals of every kind of ethnic food with his family and many friends.
He was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Mary C. (Reed) Rubenstein, for whom he was a dedicated caregiver, as well as his brothers-in-law John Suter and Donald Reed, and his sister-in-law Anne Suter. He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Rubenstein (Stuart Speaker) and Suzanne (Jim) Austin, his son, Michael Rubenstein, his grandchildren Emily Cirrone and Benjamin Cirrone (and their father Jim Cirrone) and Henry Speaker; his devoted companion, Zena Rosenberg, his brother, Donald Rubenstein and sister-in-law Nadine Rubenstein, his sister, Barbara Rubenstein, and seven nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading, 239 Woburn St., Reading, on Saturday, March 24 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation (https://www.alzinfo.org/) or the North Reading Veterans Gift Account (North Reading Veterans Department, 235 North Street, North Reading, MA 01864). Arrangements are in the care of the Croswell Funeral Home. For directions or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.CroswellFuneralHome.com.
