Michael Richard Rubish Jr.

Mike as a FreshmanCambell UniversityAmong other things, Mike worked as male model in the Big Apple, as a Policeman in Durham and got into some sharp dealings while on the force. At the end he was was working in his Dad's sporting goods store. His second marriage was breaking up and he had been diagnosed with cancer. Here's to hoping he is at peace.

From Goose Waters:

Of all the wonderful crazy cats we had, Mike had to be in everybody's top ten

( those who knew him anyway). We were really really good friends in 9^th grade especially.

Parents were mortified of him. FUN guy. Street SMART and just plain very savvy and proficient at what he liked.

He was always ahead on everything (except school maybe).

Heck, he might have beat Bill Gates to the web if Mike had put his mind to it.

Turned me on to Jimi Hendrix and other fab music.

He went off to school and we slowly lost touch except I would see him some and hear about him often.

Wish I had stayed in better touch.

RIP brother

From Chris Riggsbee:

Mike was a fun guy. I remember one night we ran into each other at the drive-in across from Brady's.

It might have still been the Frozen Kustard at the time.

Mike was driving a Porsche 911 that someone had brought in for service at the dealership he was working at.

The next thing I knew we were doing 120 mph on the Durham-CH Blvd.

I hope the stain came out of the seat I was in.

My last memory of Mike was of him dancing and having a good time at my wedding reception in 1996.

From Betsi Terrell Devine:

Mike and I were friends since 2nd grade.

Most of you probably didn't know this, but we dated for a while when we were in our mid-20's.

He was always the life of the party and I will never forget our dancing at Elliot's Nest

or when he accidentally set my pillow on fire!

Ran into him years later in Raleigh -

he picked me up and swung me around and seemed very happy.

I was incredibly sad when I heard of his death and I will never forget our fun times together.

From Billy Arthur Jr:

Mike and I lived in the same neighborhood, but as classmates,

we were in different circles of friends.

Mike had another neighbor named Mike Falconer,

and both were into golf real bad. They would put tees up on

their front lawns and drive golf balls either into 15-501 bypass or

into Hayes road on the other side.

Almost every time I went over to Mike's,

I got him into trouble with his parents,

or my fanny was ready for a beating when I got back home.

I got hold of some cherry bombs once, and Mike and I were tossing them

out of the upstairs bathroom and we caught the draperies on fire.

Isn't it odd that I was always playing with matches???