George F. Rubin, loving husband, father, grandfather, accomplished businessman, role model,

and decorated war hero, peacefully passed away beside his wife Rainy, in the early-morning

hours of March 31, after a long and hard-fought battle with Parkinson’s. 

Born on January 8, 1943, in Philadelphia, George (or Georgie as he was known in his early

years) was the youngest son of Richard I. and Dorothy Shaltz Rubin, brother to Ronald Rubin

and Judy Garfinkel, and brother-in-law to Marcia and Marvin. Despite his vast work, military,

and philanthropic achievements, George was a family man, first and foremost. He is survived by

his grade school sweetheart, the love of his life and wife of over sixty years, Lorraine Blessing;

his sons, Tim and Dan; daughter, Kelly; and daughter-in-law, Emma. He was simply “Poppy” to

his six grandchildren: Carter, Casey, George, Mikaila, Tori, and Katerina. He was the beloved

uncle of Bill Rubin, Susan Silberman, Gil Morse (Bev), and great uncle of Scott Silberman

(Carrie), Zoe Morse, Victor Morse, and great-great uncle of Zachary. Much like his approach

to everything in life, George was generous with his time, fully immersing himself and taking an

active interest in the lives of his entire family, never missing games and events of his children

and grandchildren — a true “Super Fan.” Off the field, he always made time to talk, learn, and

listen about events in their lives. He was also always there to lend support, positivity and advice,

or help in any way he could.

George was many things to many people but above all else he was known as a kind,

compassionate, and generous person. He made new friends wherever he went in life and never

had a bad word to say about anyone. His passion for life and resolute positivity were also his

trademarks. Everyone has a story of how George took a personal interest in mentoring, helping,

or inspiring them in some way. Always approachable, offering an infectious smile and often a

joke or wisecrack, his quick wit and dry humor were bedrock characteristics of his personality.

He found a way to work humor into everything he did, making all those around him comfortable

and entertained.

Sports played a huge role in George’s life and legacy. In his earlier high school and college years,

he was both a football and All-American lacrosse player. Later in life he became an avid

horseback rider, sharing a special bond with his Irish warm blood equine companions, Sauvey

Castle, Harvey, and Red. As in business, he was not afraid to take on risk and this somewhat

aggressive riding style occasionally resulted in a trip to the ER for injuries such as a broken

ankle and head trauma. George was also a hunter, and avid fisherman, which often led him to the

Lehigh Valley to hunt pheasant with his buddies or to his summer home in Beach Haven, Long

Beach Island to “feed the fish,” as he would say, as he left the house to surf fish… because he

rarely did anything more than lose his bait. George also was dedicated to strength training and

cardio throughout his entire adult life, always striking up new friendships at the gym as he got

his fitness workouts in.

In addition to sports, George also enjoyed traveling and the outdoors, often fusing the two

passions together. This took the form of trips to the Colorado Rockies to ski, pheasant hunting in

the Midwest prairies and annual trips to British Columbia for salmon and halibut. George also

enjoyed watching sports and, like his brother Ronnie, was a proud four-for-four fan — with an

almost encyclopedic knowledge about stats and standing on the Phillies, Birds, Sixers, and

Flyers.

George remained active his entire life. However, during the quieter moments he enjoyed reading,

and was particularly fond of history and biographies. He was always eager to work in some

interesting fact about whatever or whoever he happened to be reading about into daily

conversation, educating or entertaining those around him. He also enjoyed caring for his fig tree

outside the kitchen door and sharing the bounty with all who came to visit. Most of all, during

his quieter moments and during meals, he enjoyed sharing time with his love, Rainy, talking,

laughing, and catching up on daily events, often over a glass or two of wine.

George’s was a life well lived. He was an object in motion, always living, learning, loving and

inspiring. Among his vast accomplishments, two of his proudest — ones that shaped the man he

became — were Lafayette College and his service to our country as a Captain in the U.S. Army.

George earned a Bachelor of Arts in Geology and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil

Engineering from Lafayette College.  While at Lafayette, George was a member of the Delta

Upsilon Fraternity where he forged relationships with his “DU” brothers that would last a

lifetime. He served in the U.S. Army from 1965–1970 and received the Bronze Star, National

Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the Army Commendation Medal for his service in

Vietnam. While he kept most of his Vietnam experiences to himself, much like Lafayette, he

forged friendships and bonds with other military veterans that lasted his entire life.

After his honorable discharge from the Army, George began a long and distinguished career in

the real estate business. In 1970 he joined Richard I. Rubin & Company where he worked closely

with his father and brother, involving himself in all phases of the real estate industry. He was

responsible for the development of several of the shopping malls for The Rubin Company,

including Christiana Mall and Willow Grove Park.  He also ran the Management Company,

which was responsible for overseeing the operations of a large portfolio of shopping centers and

office buildings. George oversaw the development of many of the Rubin Company’s office

projects including the Mellon Bank Center which, when built, was the largest office building in

Philadelphia. He was also responsible for the renovation of the historic Bellevue Stratford Hotel.

Eventually the family business became Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, where he

served as Vice Chairman and Trustee until the time of his retirement.

George lived a life of service and was always generous with his time, talent, and experience with

the mission of helping others. Throughout his life he served with distinction on numerous Boards

and committees. Those that meant the most to him were: Board of Trustees of Lafayette College,

Chairing the Grounds & Buildings Committee, Executive Committee, and finally a Trustee

Emeriti; Chairman of the Board of Trustees (from 1983 through 2017) of Thorncroft Equestrian

Center, the largest Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center in Pennsylvania (where his daughter

Kelly worked); Board of Elwyn Institute in Media, PA, a non-profit human services organization

aiding people with special needs and disadvantages of all ages; and the Board of The Radnor

Hunt Club and The Radnor Hunt Races, the proceeds of which go to the Brandywine

Conservancy for the preservation of open space. Lastly, under appointment by President George

W. Bush, he served from 2004 until 2008 on the Veterans Advisory Committee on Education

(VACOE), which advised the Secretary of Veteran Affairs on the Administration of Veterans

Education and Training programs.

In the later years of George’s life, he struggled with the daily challenges of Parkinson’s. He met

all those challenges head-on and never let them keep him from going out and living life, whether

that meant visiting family, working, or working out, all of which he continued to do until his last

days. As the disease progressed, he ultimately and reluctantly succumbed to the use of a walker

after a few bad falls. He also had difficulty eating and talking and was always in some sort of

pain. Despite these constant struggles, George NEVER once complained. In fact, George never

complained about anything throughout his long, wonderful life… ever.

George was an all-time great, a true rock star, and he left his mark on everyone he crossed paths

with during his life. He will be dearly missed by all who had the great privilege to know him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Thorncroft Equestrian Center.

A Celebration of George, A Life Well Lived, will take place at 11am on Friday, April 11 at:

The Radnor Hunt

826 Providence Road

Malvern, PA 19355

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