Ted Rubin

Ted Rubin, 94, was known throughout the South Shore – and twice honored by the state of Massachusetts – for his extensive volunteer work for elders, which he carried on until his mid 80s.In May 2001, when he was 84, he was awarded the Governor’s Points of Light Award  by Gov. Jane Swift – given to those “who demonstrate an uncommon dedication to service”.   In 1999, Rubin won the DOVE award – (Devoted Outstanding Volunteers to Elders), the highest prize Massachusetts bestows on volunteers who serve seniors.Rubin was one of the best known residents of Randolph, where he was President of the Randolph Council on Aging for five years. He was a town meeting member, helped found a free food pantry in Randolph, and headed the Friends of the Turner Public Library there, for which he organized an annual book drive. He collected used eyeglasses for the Lions Club, along with supplies for Randolph schools, and volunteered for 15 years for the Randolph council’s Meals on Wheels program. In addition, he wrote two biweekly newspaper columns on senior issues for local Randolph newspapers, and hosted the popular “Senior Focus” program on Randolph Cable TV that showcased issues of concern to older people.

Long a board member of South Shore Elder Services in Braintree, he also volunteered as community outreach coordinator for the American Association of Retired Persons in Massachusetts. Rubin started a volunteer speakers bureau for the AARP and spoke to chapters across the state on health insurance, HMOs, and Social Security, drawing on his long working experience as an insurance agent.In 1996, Rubin received the Edythe B.Donkin Award from South Shore Elder Services, and the community service award from the UMass Gerontology Institute alumni association.When he was asked by the Quincy Patriot Ledger in 1999 why he volunteered, Rubin responded, “I enjoy helping others.”  June Newman, the former director of the Randolph council – with whom he worked to set up the town’s first van service for seniors – told the Patriot Ledger: “When a Randolph elder needs a hand, Ted is there.”Rubin, who grew up in Dorchester, was a graduate of Boston Latin School and Boston University.  He is survived by his wife Frances, 95, of Quincy, along with son Saul Rubin and daughter-in-law Syrl Silberman of Arlington, and daughter Trudy Rubin and son-in-law Paul Hogan of Philadelphia.Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 12:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Am, 871 No. Main St., Randolph, MA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to South Shore Elder Services, 1515 Washington St., Braintree, MA 02184.