A sad day for our tribe

Hey guys.

Sorry for the absence as of late. We were hit last week with the news of the tragic loss of our family Pastor, long time family friend and spiritual father, Pastor George Rubin.

Its been a busy week helping the family with arrangements. We've recieved word that eight different clubs will be attending the memorial service and The Chrome Divas and SWFL Chapter ABATE are heading up a remembrance run in George's honor.

Weather allowing, we are anticipating between 500 and 800 bikes will be rolling in to Port Charlotte for the memorial service. (Boy these old blue-hairs ain't gonna know what to do)

Heres a little bit on our Pastor should anyone want to take a look. http://www.sunnewspapers.net/articles/llnews.aspx?articleID=12910&bnpg=0

Pictures from the memorial will be uploaded this weekend.

take as much time as you need K this place is kinda slow and i wont be running away until weekend after probly so all is good right now remember if ya need anything you got my number

This was in today's paper. I'll add more pics after the Memorial

MOTORCYCLISTS GATHER TO HONOR A PASTOR



By CHRIS GERBASI Correspondent


Published: Friday, May 15, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, May 15, 2009 at 12:20 a.m.

PORT CHARLOTTE - More than 200 bikers are expected to honor a fallen friend they called Pastor George in a memorial service on Saturday.

George Rubin, 66, was killed in an accident in North Port on May 7. North Port police said a Jeep driven by William F. Doyle of North Port struck Rubin's 1994 Harley-Davidson in the rear, throwing Rubin from the motorcycle and into the intersection in front of Home Depot on U.S. 41.

Rubin was not wearing a helmet. He was flown to Bayfront Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Rubin and his wife, Nancy, both ordained ministers, started a ministry for bikers in Sarasota 25 years ago, she said. They rode with the Christian Motorcyclists Association, and out of that grew Church on the Highway. As the name implies, the ministry was set up wherever bikers gathered, at campouts, rallies and other events. They held church services at the Pinecraft Park pavilion in Sarasota for five years.

Rubin was in the first class that graduated from Riverview High School in Sarasota, Nancy said. He worked for GTE Corp. in Sarasota for 28 years before retiring. He and his wife, who were married for 34 years, moved to Port Charlotte six years ago.

"He never had a mean word to say about anybody," Nancy Rubin said. "If he met you, you were his best friend, and that's the only way a Christian can be."

In addition to his wife, Rubin is survived by their four children, Donna, Alan, Deborah and Lana; 12 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

The memorial service is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday at First Alliance Church, 20444 Midway Blvd. in Port Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Canine Castaways, P.O. Box 3295, Arcadia, FL 34265.

Heres a few pics from the Memorial. Sorry for the dial up death, guys.

In attendance was:
Church on the Highway
The Chrome Divas
Christian Motorcyle Association
Faith Riders
SW FL ABATE
Defenders
Enforcers
Sons of Nam
The Brotherhood
The Messengers
The Loyal Warriors
Tribe of Judah
Forgiven
and Servants of the Son

Church on the Highway and Chrome Divas were the first ones in. Big Red led the pack, rode by Bubbah and escorted by Scratch (Chrome Diva)






Second pack - ABATE



More packs arrive



George drove a bus and quite a few school bus drivers and students he drove showed up. You could hear the collective heartbreak when the bus superintedant drove George's bus in to the parking lot.


Another shot of more bikes


The Memorial Altar


George's vest (You can see where the EMTs had to cut it off of him on the right side)


There was standing room only and people were spilling out in to other rooms to watch the Memorial on big screens


Pheonix during Praise & Worship (shameless granma plug)


I won't bore you with all the people that went up and spoke. So on to the end.
My Aunt Weird & my mom, Carol


Jake, aka "Retardo", Aunt Weird, EJ and Mom


Pastor George & Nancy, with that genuine smile he always had.


Final count:
556 in attendance to the memorial
311 bikes

Thanks for letting me get it out of my system, guys. I appreciate it.

Oh my... Just got an updated count.
556 was what would fit in the main sanctuary. There was still standing room only in the cafe', two classrooms and the conference room, all watching on big screens.
Grand total: 1,082 people

Heres a couple videos.
This one is from the first pack of bikes to roll in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pcdXdUJlF4

And this is my aunt, my brother and my mother singing at Nancy's request
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3R7-U6NACtU

WOW thats alot of people