Thomas J. Rubino

Thomas J. Rubino, 84, died on Thursday, October 31, 2024. He was born on August 8, 1940, in Brooklyn, NY, and grew up in Guttenberg, New Jersey. He was a graduate of St. Joseph’s of the Palisades High School where he met his wife of 59 years, Kathleen (McKeever) Rubino. After high school he attended Jersey City State College earning a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Elementary Education. He earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Human Development from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1975.

Tom started his career as a sixth-grade teacher in Cliffside Park before serving as Coordinator of Special Education Services in North Bergen, New Jersey. In 1968, he was hired by the New Jersey State Department of Education as County Supervisor of Child Study in the Office of the Essex County Superintendent of Schools. He held numerous leadership positions in the State Department of Education focused on developing policy and programs for special education students. He wrote the original concept paper and led the development of New Jersey’s alternative education programs. In 1994, he was appointed by the State Board of Education as Mercer County Superintendent of Schools where he served until his retirement in 2002. He was honored in July 2000 with the renaming of Mercer County’s alternative high school as the Thomas J. Rubino Academy in recognition of his leadership in developing alternative education in New Jersey.

Tom loved spending time with his friends and family, especially his granddaughters who lovingly called him Grampy. He also enjoyed playing golf, smoking a nice cigar, and watching the Giants. He lived out his motto “it’s nice to be nice” and made friends with everyone he met. His family and friends will miss his wit and wisdom.

Tom is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his son, Thomas Rubino and wife, Jenn, and granddaughters, Reagan and Rylie, of Langhorne, Pa; his daughter Suzanne Rubino and Freddie Auferio of Cedar Knolls, NJ; his brother Joseph Rubino of Mt. Laurel, NJ; his brother, Raymond Rubino of Florham Park, NJ; his sister-in-law, Joan Rubino; his nephews and nieces, Maura McKeever, Megan McKeever, Dan and Jaime McKeever, Andy and June Marino, Tony and Laura Scott, Joyce Hardwick, Christine Rubino, Paul and Gina Maraio, Thomas and Betty Ann Rubino, Ray and Rose Celona, Paul and Eileen Rubino, Jennifer Rubino, and many great nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, Dr. Thomas and Rose (Giarmo) Rubino; his sister, Anna Mae and husband, Roy Kaelber; and his brother, Anthony Rubino; his sister-in-law, Fran Rubino; his brother-in-law, William McKeever; and his brother-in-law, Robert McKeever and wife, Eileen.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Barnegat Funeral Home, 841 West Bay Avenue, Barnegat, NJ 08005. Funeral Mass offered Friday, 1 pm at St. Mary’s Church, 747 West Bay Avenue, Barnegat, NJ 08005. Interment to follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Manahawkin.  (www.BarnegatFH.com)

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) or woundedwarriorproject.org. (links below)

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