When asked where we would meet for a visit to the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, his response was glib, confident and quintessentially Reuben: “You’ll find me.” For who else would go about town wearing a bespoke, double-breasted, burnt-orange jacket with a flawlessly co-ordinated pocket square, green corduroys and alligator shoes? Reuben was the consummate fashionista, his audacious taste commanding both attention and respect.
Reuben was born in Sydney, N.S. His father was a tailor who fashioned coats using furs obtained by trading with the Mi’kmaq, considered audacious at the time. In search of something other than the family business, Reuben took a train as far as he could afford and ended up in Edmonton. It was 1957, the year of the Queen’s first royal visit to Canada. Hudson’s Bay, where Reuben worked, was holding a national contest for the best display window.
Reuben received an honorary degree from Cape Breton University in 1996 for his philanthropic efforts. Among his many gifts to the institution was making sure that a rare Picasso sketch book,, found its way to its cultural and heritage centre rather than being sold at a U.S. auction.