The one & only Michael Rubino

My heart is broken, in my life I have lost friends and I have lost co-workers, but I have never lost a partner (who happened to be both). On Friday evening God called home one of the most caring and hard working saints I've ever known, Michael Rubino. To know him was to love him. And even to not know him, there is an excellent chance that you were in fact loved by him. Michael was selflessly behind so much of what we have done over the last 7 years, but no one would know because he intentionally choose anonymity in lieu of recognition, trust me as I have scoured for photos of him for hours only ever finding glimpses of his presence! Although he would hate me for doing this, I cannot let the sunset on someone who poured his heart and soul into what he did simply for the joy of making others' lives happier and not have anyone know about it. Mike has been the creative force behind every concept we have since 2017, he came and took our idea for a fine dining Latin restaurant and created Proximo, our spin for a unique burger concept and created Gnometown Brewing on the Landing, he had pages of notes for menu changes at Hoppy Gnome and was knee deep in a complete revamp of the menu at BakerStreet. This is to say nothing of the contributions he made while working in and around Los Angeles prior to sharing his light with the Midwest. I want to go on and on talking about his talent and skill, but they were made great because of the passion he had for everything that he did, it wasn't just about the food he was making, Michael was truly selfless in his efforts to take care of others.....he shared his gift with the world humbly and honorably, fueling himself with the joy of helping others. I feel cheated that I only got to know him for 7 years, while I trust God in all that He does, this is truly an example of not understanding His ways.

Michael leaves behind his wife Kristen, his father Vincent, his mother Adele, and his niece Annalise......as well as hundreds, if not thousands, of loving co-workers who were honored to call him family. If Michael touched or affected your life in any way, I'd like to invite you to join us in supporting his family in his absence.  

Michael's family has decided not to have a funeral, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to benefit his widow and will be matched up to $20k.