Erin Patrice Rubas, age 44, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 17, 2023, at home surrounded by her loving family. Born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Erin was raised in Brick and resided in Manasquan for most of her life. She attended St. Rose High School in Belmar where she played softball, swim, and cheered. Erin graduated from Western New England University in 2001 with a Bachelor in Science in Criminal Justice. Following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, Erin chose a career in public service. 

Erin graduated from the Monmouth County Police Academy and was a Class Two Special Police Officer in Manasquan and Asbury Park. She was then hired in 2003 as the first female municipal police officer in Neptune City. In 2007, Erin became a detective with the prosecutor’s office in Hudson County. There, she excelled and became a highly decorated homicide crime scene detective with her forensic work leading to arrests and convictions in many high-profile and well-publicized murder cases. Because of her exceptional forensic skills, Erin received numerous service awards and even founded an instructional crime scene school, the Northeast Crime Scene Institute, where she taught. Despite her love of crime scene work, Erin always cherished her years of service with the Neptune City Police Department and treasured being part of the Neptune City Family.

Although she loved police work, her greatest joy in life was being the mother to her two boys, Julian Peter and Quintus James. Erin was extremely blessed to be present for and to raise her boys through their early formative years.  Even through illness, she was a constant and powerful presence in their lives where she instilled the family’s core values: strength, kindness, and respect. She enjoyed to travel the world with her family and friends, and loved fashion and jewelry. 

Erin was predeceased by her nan, Rita D’Elia. Erin is survived by her husband, Michael P. Rubas, her sons, Julian and Quintus, her parents, James and Gail Burns, her loving and devoted cousin Tracey Sayers and children Sydney and Colin who she held especially close to her heart, her childhood friend Jenny August and children Ashlynn and Brielle, and many other cousins and close friends.

Visitation will be on Sunday, July 23, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Road, Wall Twp. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, July, 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Catharine’s Church, 215 Essex Ave., Spring Lake. Burial will be in St. Anne’s Cemetery, Wall. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to Metavivor, Metastatic Breast Cancer Research at https://metavivor.org  

To send condolences to the family please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.