Jerome M. Rubino

Jerome Michael Rubino, known as Jerry to family and friends,was born on November 2, 1944 in Brooklyn, NY to Gilda and Jerome Nunzio Rubino. Jerry would often regale his children and their friends with stories from his childhood in Sunset Park.From stickball in the street and fountain sodas at the corner drug store to riding the Wonder Wheel on Coney Island, Jerry was a captivating storyteller with an indelible memory. Jerry attended Xaverian High School in Bay Ridge where he made lifelong friends and graduated from Villanova University with academic honors and a fierce allegiance (tested every March) to the Villanova Wildcats. After traversing the Atlantic for a year with the United States Merchant Marine, Jerry pursued graduate study in Clinical Psychology at Columbia University and St.John’s University where he earned his Master’s Degree. In 1969,Jerry grabbed tickets to “some music festival upstate” out of a fishbowl on the counter of an East Village clothing store and ended up at Woodstock where he saw Carlos Santana perform and fell in love with the Hudson Valley. Jerry would later move into the Valley and worked for many years at the New York State Office of Mental Health in Peekskill as a Clinical Psychologist. Jerry was also instrumental in founding the Marriage and Family Therapy Graduate Studies program at Iona College, where he taught and mentored students until his retirement in 2019.

In 1984, Jerry met Christine Schwartz at a work luncheon. Theymarried in 1986 at the Chapel of Our Lady in Cold Spring and returned a few years later to settle in Lake Valhalla. It is herethat they raised their three children- Brian, Lily, and James- and have lived for the past 35 years.

Jerry was an active member of the Cold Spring community and served for over ten years as President of the Lake Valhalla Civic Association, participated in the development of the Comprehensive Plan for the Town of Philipstown, and served on the Board of the Putnam Highlands Audubon Society. Jerry’s kindness, generosity of spirit and genuine love of connection meant he always had time for friends and strangers alike; he could never be rushed when the company was good.

Jerry’s most cherished role was that of father and grandfather. Whether as a tee-ball coach for Philipstown Rec, or a spectatorwatching his children and their friends compete for Haldane High School and later, his granddaughters practice ballet, Jerry’sfamily brought him the greatest joy. Jerry instilled in them a love for learning, the outdoors, good music and good food. At sunset on Saturday, March 22, 2025, after a long and heroic battle with cancer, Jerry passed on. He was surrounded and cared for by his loved ones up until his final moments and will be missed by many.

Jerry is survived by his siblings Peter and Carolyn (Richard)Rubino; his loving wife Christine and their three beloved children: Brian, Lily (Robert) and James (Cara); sevenwonderful nieces and nephews and his two darling granddaughters: Amaryllis and Zinnia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, March 27, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Loretto in Cold Spring.

In Lieu of Flowers the family asks for donations be sent to the following ( Please Click the Link to donate )

1. Putnam Highlands Audubon Society: https://www.putnamhighlandsaudubon.org/support-birds-nature/donate

2. Haldane Blue Devil Booster Club: https://www.haldaneschool.org/athletics/blue-devil-booster-club

3. Our Lady of Loretto Church: https://www.wesharegiving.org/app/giving/WeShare-20000184?tab=home