Nate was born in St. George NB and still resided there. He was the youngest of four children born to Louis and Elizabeth (Subsbear) Rubin. He attended St. George Superior High School and was President of his class upon graduation in 1947. In 1948 he graduated from Saint John Vocational School with a diploma in Electricity. Nate then furthered his education by attending Mount Allison University in Sackville NB and spent two years as a Pre-Med Student and an additional two years in the business administration course.
Nate first went into business at the age of 16 operating a hot dog stand. He went on to be a very successful Businessman. President of Rubin’s Clothing & Footwear Ltd. (1919), St. George Funeral Service Ltd. (1933), St. George Theater Co. Ltd., (1957). The Capitol Theater Building is still in existence today. Nate and Pete opened up the Capitol Dairy Bar in 1968 which is now called Pete’s Dairy Bar and is still in operation.
He has been a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer for the Province of New Brunswick for over 60 years and was featured in the national magazine “Canadian Funeral News” that was distributed across Canada. Nate taught embalming and embalming techniques at the Moncton City Hospital. He was also a licensed Theater Projectionist for the Province of New Brunswick. He served on the Board of the Fundy Hospital and Fundy Nursing Home, Blacks Harbour NB for 28 years.
Nate was elected Mayor of the Town of St. George in 1971, re-elected in 1977 and again in 1980 to 1986. He is a Past Director of the Association of New Brunswick Towns, elected to sit on the Province’s first Provincial Municipal Council in Fredericton. He is a past Development Officer for the Town of St. George and a Past President of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. He was the first President of the Chamber of Commerce from St. George.
Nate was a Past President of the NB Funeral Directors and Embalmers Association, three years running. He was also Past General Chairman and Past Secretary of the Atlantic Provinces Funeral Director and Service Convention. Nate served on the Board of NB Power from 1987 to 1992.
Nate was very interested in sports and had played baseball, soccer, hockey and football. He played varsity football for Mount Allison University and baseball in the Nova Scotia Valley League. He was a member of the St. George Curling Club from 1979-1980 and Honorary Past President of the St. George Recreation Council.
Nate was musically talented and had his own five piece band called the “Five Pearls” which played the “Big Band” sounds.
Nate joined St. George Masonic Lodge # 12 F&AM in 1959 and had the privilege of serving as Master in 1968. He served as Treasurer, a position he held for over 36 consecutive years and has served on the Building & Finance committee. He was also a member of the Past Masters Association of the Masonic District # 5. He is a life member of the St. Stephen Royal Arch Chapter #6, a life member of St. George Select Masters, a Past Patron and Brother of Granite Chapter # 15 OES and service as Grand Sword Bearer of the Grand Lodge under Wor, Bro Murray Speight. Nate was a companion of St. Croix Council # 11 of Royal and Select Masters, Calais ME, Brother of Granite Chapter # 15 OES, St. George where he served as Secretary for three years.
Nate was Past District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge NB 2011-2003, Grand Representative of the Grand Masonic Lodge of NB to Puerto Rico, Grand Representative of Grand Chapter of OES of NB of the State of Oregon.
Nate joined Luxor Temple in 1965 and prior to his election to the Divan was an active member of the Arab Patrol. He was elected the 78th Potentate of Luxor Temple in 1980. Nate was appointed Director, Region # 8, Endowments Wills and Gifts by Imperial Council in June 1985. He was made an honorary member of the Arab Patrol. Nate served on the Executive of Luxor Temple from 1981-2001 and from 2004 till present on the Advisory Committee of Luxor. He became a member of the Cabiri Unit in January 1981, and has served as Cabiri Secretary. He was a life member of the Schoodic Shrine Club, Maine USA and an associate member of Anah Temple in Bangor ME.
Nate truly appreciated life with its ups and downs and left us with the following;
“May the good Lord blow a little breeze at your back and continue to hold you in the palm of his hand for ever and ever–..God Bless”
Resting at the St. George Funeral Home & Crematorium from where the service will be held from the Gary E. Waycott Memorial Chapel on Monday at 2 pm with Rev. Eric Caldwell officiating followed by the interment at the St. George Rural Cemetery. Visitinghours at the funeral home will take place on Saturday from 1-4 and 7-9 pm and on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm. A Masonic Service and Eastern Star Service will take place at the funeral home on Saturday at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Charlotte County Shrine Club (Transportation Fund) or to a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.
Saint Croix Courier