Sending you comfort of love to touch your heart as you remember and cherish the warm memories of your beloved uncle.  The Generette Family.

The membership  at Harper Square Cooperative were very saddened by the news of Mr. Gaines passing. 

Mr. Gaines was a long standing Member Owner. He was very nice and loving to all who came in contact with him. We cherish the memories that he invested at the Co-Op. 

Therefore, we felt it important to share just how much he meant to everyone here. Mr. Gaines will forever be in our hearts!!!!

May the memories of the happy times with Uncle Ruben fill your heart with laughter and a warm SMILE.
Remember MEMORIES are the  legacy of LOVE.
Rebecca Myles Smith

My deepest sympathy to the family of our beloved brother-in Christ Jesus, Uncle Gaines.  We all loved him but God loves him best!  Joyce Franklin @St. Ambrose


We first met Mr Gaines in 1989 when he was an usher at St Ambrose Catholic Church.  His warmth and welcoming style were why we stayed. Mr Gaines was a staunch supporter of St Ambrose and the Knights of Columbus.  He sold us raffle tickets every year. He also supported DeLaSalle Institute by buying raffle tickets from Prentiss. Ruben was one of the first prize winners! Sadly, Ruben stopped selling Knights of Columbus tickets before Prentiss could win his prize. He maintained his relationships faithfully.  He showed that he valued his relationships. He was patient, reliable, attentive and kind.  He is sorely missed. Rest in peace . 
Prentiss and Cynthia 

Greetings from St Ambrose Catholic Church, Chicago and deepest condolences to the family of late Mr Ruben Gaines. 

When someone we love dies, we are robbed of our hopes and dreams. The grief we experience can be overwhelming. During such moments of mourning, we feel that we are distant from the loved one, but death does not separate us from our deceased. it rather deepens our union with God and with them. St Paul tells us that those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith have not been separated from us. They are closer to us because they now live in the fullness of God's love; a love that embraces each one of us. (2 Cor. 4:14). 

With this in mind, don't let your hearts be troubled.  Have faith in God and in his Son, Jesus Christ, and He will support and grant you the strength you need at this moment, (John 14:1-2). Our Christian faith compares our journey in life to a race. When we finish the race, we will transition into a newer and more glorious life, (Rom. 6:3-4). 

Mr. Ruben Gaines has finished his journey on earth here and has transitioned into a more glorious place, where there is no more sorrow nor illness. Mr Gaines was one of the oldest parishioners of St Ambrose Church.  A man of strong faith and commitment. A parishioner who cared and loved his church. He financially supported the church until his death. He was a man of integrity and respect. A person who was loved by all members. We will all miss him.

Though you are grieving Mr. Gaines, let your faith empower you to hope that all of us shall one day meet again in the heavenly banquet of God where there will be no more sorrow, tears nor weeping. (Rev 21:4) 

May Jesus, who is the source of all consolation, wipe away your tears. And may He be merciful to Mr Ruben Gaines and grant his soul eternal rest in his kingdom. Amen.

Rev. John Owusu C.S.Sp
Pastor, St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Chicago

For the family of Mr. Ruben Gaines

On behalf of the Knights of Columbus Council # 8377 We honor the life of Mr. Ruben Gaines.  We honor his commitment  as a founding member of the council as well as  serving many positions which includes Grand Knight and Treasurer.   Mr. Gaines had shown an tremendous example of what a Knight of Columbus should be, which is duty, honor and charity.  As we mourn our brother as he make his transition we will continue to honor his legacy by our continual commitment of serving as being distinguished Catholics and Knights of Columbus such as Ruben Gaines

Mario Steward
Grand Knight 
St. Ambrose Church Council # 8377

Meeting and knowing Ruben Gaines was one of the most important experiences of my life. He was my leader, my mentor, and my friend. After meeting him when I returned to my childhood parish after a years-long absence, I found Ruben, or maybe he found me. What I saw was a great Christian man, who loved God, his family, and his friends. Ruben never had a bad word to say about anyone. I found out that we had both worked  and retired from  the United States Postal Service. I enjoyed hearing his stories of when he was with the Postal Police and among one of his duties was going out to Ohare Airport to pick-up the payroll checks for our entire facility. To be tasked with this job, showed Ruben's level of responsibility and trust.   
 After my retirement, I had joined NARFE(National Association of Retired Federal Employees). Talking to Ruben, he informed me he was a local official in that organization, and invited me several times to their yearly banquet at the Martinique Banquet Hall which I enjoyed greatly.
After renewing my faith at church, it was Ruben who taught me that was not enough to just come to church. I joined the Knights of Columbus and joined in its mission of charity, unity and fraternity. 
Ruben was instrumental in bringing our council to St. Ambrose, was very active in all of our efforts, and was in good standing, and current in his dues, even for this year 2020, even though technically he was a lifetime member and did not have to pay.
True to his leadership, he was a past Grand Knight of our council  #8377 at St. Ambrose parish, he was a past Faithful Navigator of Joseph Power Assembly, and was also a former District Deputy  with the Illinois State Council.  When I worked with the State Council many years later, I was approached by a man who became our State Deputy, who recalled Ruben's work, on the state level back in the 80s and early 90's. 
I understand that, because Ruben is the kind of person that you can never forget.  This was our last meeting.

Mr. Gaines was a fellow parishioner of  mine at St. Ambrose. He was also my Grand Knight, Past Grand Knight and District Deputy of Knights of Columbus. He was a very dedicated member of the order. He was also a great mentor. He helped me grow in my faith and in my commitment to St. Ambrose Council 8377. I will miss him dearly. He was a great, but humble servant of God. May his soul rest in perpetual peace. We will miss you  brother. God's speed.

Thinking of you today and just wanted to say what a man a mighty mighty man .Rosita 

To the Family of Mr. Ruben Gaines.  Prayers from my family to all of you.  Thank you, Mr. Gaines for being a gentleman, a man of strong faith and courage, and for always wanting to be the best and to do the best for those you loved. You were a pillar in our St. Ambrose Parish, and your spirit will continue to be with all of us.  We are at peace knowing that you are now at peace.    Rest in Power, Mr. Ruben Gaines.  

To the Family of Ruben Gaines,

May you find peace in the loving memories that you were blessed to share with Uncle Ruben.  May God shower you with His peace that surpasses human understanding.

With loving prayers,

Larry and Jerelyn Evans

Today we Celebrated the Life, Love, and Legacy of Ruben Gaines.  We will all forever cherish the memories.



Grandpa Ruben is the epitome of wisdom, discipline, excellence, steadfastness, good character, dignity, class and love. So many are blessed to have known you. Thank you for just being you. 
Love Always 


 


Uncle Ruben never missed a special event. 
My Godfather, which was always an example of Religion, Love and Commitment. I will miss you always. You were always a strong positive image in my life.
Love You 
Richard


Helping Ruben celebrate his 98th Birthday at St. Ambrose’s Ice Cream Social with family and friends.  We had a great time that day!


He was crowned King for the Mardi Gras by St. Ambrose.  However, he has always been our King.

Harold and Valerie, sorry for the loss of your uncle Ruben. He lived a long wonderful life. I have listen to some of the things he had done in his life. Just know he is at rest and in a better place.  Condolences to the Gaines family.

Darlene Washington 

After church services Ruben, Joyce and I would go out to eat.  I will forever cherish those good times together.  We ate good!!!


Rosita and Joyce, great friends of Uncle Ruben.  They were very supportive  and visited him often.  They met at St. Ambrose and served together in various functions/ organizations. Over 20 years of friendship.

Sending my Condolences, Love,&Support to Harold & Valerie Gaines and the rest of the Evans/Gaines family on the transition of their beloved Uncle Ruben. I did not know Uncle Ruben personally but through Harold & Valerie I felt like I knew him. They loved him, watched over him, took care of him and he left them years of good memories and a legacy of family love.  Cuz. Wille & Roberta Richardson

Marcus Gaines’ graduation with his dad and Uncle Ruben.


Ruben in his younger days!!!  He was always a great dresser!!


More memories!  Uncle Ruben’s Christmas gathering with his Alumni .


Birthday celebration at Uncle Ruben’s place.  We always had a great time at his place.  We gathered for New Year’s dinner and some birthday celebrations.  Great memories!!!!!


Mr. G as I called him. 

Mr. G will be truly be missed and forever in my heart. I was his caregiver for the last 2 years. In that time, I witness his selflessness and his willingness to help and assist others in their time of need. We developed a friendship and from that friendship we developed a kinship that makes us more of family. Mr. G treated me as family and I’ll remember him for his kindness.
Rest Well In Heaven
Vicky Ingersol

He always supported special occasions.  Harold’s college graduation!



Uncle Ruben and his brother Cornelius.  


Ruben shared 16 wonderful years with his wife Jeannette who preceded him in death, March 31, 1997.


Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Gaines family. We love you all. 
Love,
The Hines family

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Gaines family.
Love, 
The Hines Family

To my favorite Great Uncle from your favorite Great nephew.... You have inspired me so much to be a better man. Your Wisdom, Strength, humor , honor, and just being an overall good man encourages me to be better. I appreciate everything you have ever done for me more than words can explain. You will forever live in my heart! 

Good times will always stay in our memories celebrating his 96th birthday.


One is never 2 old to learn. Thanks for teaching me the 2/10 . I am missing you but you are in a better place.  Love you Rosita. 

I will always cherish time spent with my great uncle hearing vivid, detailed stories of life when he and my grandfather were teenagers and their great migration to Chicago.  I am forever blessed to have recorded him sharing these stories with me so I have his legacy to pass on to my children and my children's children.  

Uncle Ruben, we all love and miss you much!

OBITUARY

Ruben Gaines

27 August, 1921 – 20 March, 2020

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