Rubin Grossman

On Friday, August 28, 2020 Rubin Grossman, a loving husband, father and grandfather, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family at the age of 94. Rubin was born on June 9, 1926, in NY to Samuel and Yetta Grossman. He learned camera and video trade for the film entertainment industry at Samuel Gompers and Cooper Union in Manhattan. He managed lighting design for the motion picture and television industry including the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC and the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop as well as countless Broadway shows, MTV videos and movies. While working at Gimbels NYC, Rubin met the love of his life - Florence. On February 18, 1949, Rubin and Florence were married and enjoyed 73 years together. They raised one daughter, Naomi.

Rubin, more affectionately known as “Poppy” to his immediate family, had a magical way of closing the 70 year generation gap between him and his grandchildren with his memories and stories. The stories he shared of his beloved family from NYC and friends from his childhood shined a light on his colorful and adventure filled life. Poppy shared his love of horse racing in Yonkers, the projects he worked on during his career and his honor and love for his family and dear wife Florence with anyone who would listen.

Along with his stories, Poppy loved to connect with his grandchildren getting involved in whatever interested them or made them smile- whether that was cheering them on at a lacrosse game or learning a new dance taught by them or taking a selfie. Poppy also loved to go on road trips with his family. He would travel to see his grandchildren play lacrosse any and everywhere between Northern Virginia and New York. He was a tutor for the grandkids, a mentor, and a very proud husband, father and grandpa. Nothing mattered more to Poppy than family; his legacy will be embraced and his memory will be held closely in the hearts of his family.

Rubin was preceded in death by his beloved wife Florence, father Samuel, his mother Yetta, and his siblings Harry, Sol, Isidore, Louis, Bertha and Pearl. He is survived by his daughter Naomi, son-in-law Eugene, and grandchildren Jonathan, Rebecca and Jennifer.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 2nd, 2020 at Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapel in Queens, NY at 11 o’clock a.m. Following the memorial service, the burial service will be at Beth Israel Cemetery in Woodbridge, NJ.