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Rest in Peace, Jim Ruos
#214616
01/18/2020 09:50 PM
01/18/2020 09:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,902 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,902
Central Florida!
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Many people here will know Jim Ruos, who owned and operated Caribbean Islands Travel Service, which focused on resorts on Orient Beach, St. Martin, mostly Club Orient. I received an email today from Mary, his wife, and partner for many, many years, stating that Jim passed away at the end of 2019. We became acquainted with Jim on the old Prodigy bulletin board. We visited SXM many times on cruises before that, but made our first trip for a land vacation to St. Martin in February 1995, staying at Green Cay Villas. After that, there were many trips to Orient Beach, including several to Club Orient, including over the Millenium, Caribbean Princess, L'Hoste, and a bunch of other places through the years, all booked through Jim and Mary. Through it all, Jim and Mary were the consummate professionals, providing us with the best information about travel to St. Martin, and knowing literally EVERYTHING about the places we stayed. Two stories--One time we were on a flight from DC to San Juan, then SJU to SXM. Our flight into SJU was way delayed, and thus our flight onward to SXM. We called Jim from SJU to have him contact our lodging, La Plantation, and let them know we would be delayed. Our plane landed at SXM around midnight. Since all the car rental guys had gone home for the night by that time, we took a cab from the airport to the French side, after a detour for the cab driver to pick up some KFC take-out!! We arrived around 1 AM at La Plantation and were greeted by the manager, who stated that Jim that called them. They gave us our keys and said we could do the formal check in, in the morning. Second story, we were staying at Caribbean Princess and somehow, it was very important to us how many wine glasses were at the unit. I honestly don't remember now why that was so important!!! So, as compared to telling us we were entirely TOO anal and telling us to screw off!! Jim found out that there were in fact 8 glasses of every kind at the unit, which was the answer we were hoping for. And of course, his information was correct, as always. Over the years, Jim and Mary became great friends and we enjoyed many lovely times at their home in Virginia, as well as meals at restaurants in the DC area, and were fortunate enough to also spend some time with them in SXM. He and Mary have been great friends over the years, and a joy to have known. Rest in peace, Jim. Our condolences, Mary. Our thoughts are with you. Below is the obituary, which I couldn't figure out how to post, other than in three separate images. Sorry
Last edited by Carol_Hill; 01/20/2020 10:49 AM.
Carol Hill
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Re: Rest in Peace, Jim Ruos
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#214625
01/18/2020 11:00 PM
01/18/2020 11:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
PelicanPirate
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
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Re: Rest in Peace, Jim Ruos
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#214643
01/19/2020 06:50 AM
01/19/2020 06:50 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,549 Ohio
ruralcarrier
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Posts: 17,549
Ohio
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Condolences to friends and family.
J.D.
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Re: Rest in Peace, Jim Ruos
[Re: JohnB]
#214708
01/19/2020 02:08 PM
01/19/2020 02:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,902 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I have his obituary, which I couldn't re-configure here. Will post it tomorrow.
Carol Hill
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Re: Rest in Peace, Jim Ruos
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#214790
01/19/2020 07:54 PM
01/19/2020 07:54 PM
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,313 RI
jomarc
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Posts: 1,313
RI
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We're very sorry to hear this. Jim and Mary were so very helpful with our Orient Beach reservations "back in the day". Our deepest sympathies go out to the Rous family. RIP dear Jim.
Jo-
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
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Re: Rest in Peace, Jim Ruos
[Re: Coffee]
#214846
01/20/2020 10:50 AM
01/20/2020 10:50 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,902 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,902
Central Florida!
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I edited the original post to include Jim's obituary, which includes a link where folks may leave their condolences.
Carol Hill
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Re: Rest in Peace, Jim Ruos
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#215128
01/22/2020 10:25 AM
01/22/2020 10:25 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507 Florida
RobT
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Posts: 507
Florida
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I used Jim many times to book trips to Orient Beach. He was always helpful and courteous. He will be missed. I knew he had retired early from the Federal government but did not know story that was in the obituary. We had a common bond in both being retired Feds. Jim just got a full time job when he retired.
Carol, my first trip to St Martin was very similar to your experience, but I did not have the sense to contact Jim. The car rental place was still open, but the gate leading to Orient Beach was closed. I had to find somewhere else to stay at 2am. It was a difficult experience. When I spoke to Jim about it he thought I would not come back to St Martin. I told him no, I would be back. And I used him many time again.
Beach Hunter
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Re: Rest in Peace, Jim Ruos
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#215203
01/22/2020 09:34 PM
01/22/2020 09:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 720 Paris VA USA
JimRuos
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Posts: 720
Paris VA USA
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Dear Friends,
Thank you all of you for your compliments and condolences regarding Jim and CITS. When Jim begin his business venture into the travel business in 1987, he took two short courses related to beginning a small business... one was a travel business class where he learned he should concentrate in a specialized area and two was never to hire anyone, both of which he followed. (He did have wonderful contract people, Ed and Jim, who worked with us for a number of years. Of course, I was the unpaid employee after I retired from school media services!!!
We had a follow up from the obit editor of the Washington Post who was intrigued with his success in naturist travel on Orient Beach, namely Club Orient. The obit section will have its own write up about Jim concentrating on his travel service following a conversation with our daughter, Carolyn, who so skillfully crafted our family tribute to Jim.
Best wishes to all of you who contributed to the success of CITS, Mary
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Re: Rest in Peace, Jim Ruos
[Re: Lancer]
#215437
01/24/2020 04:55 PM
01/24/2020 04:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,902 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Central Florida!
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Yes, Green Cay was the first place Jim booked for us too. He definitely was the BEST at booking Orient. Rest in peace, friend.
Carol Hill
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Re: Rest in Peace, Jim Ruos
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#215494
01/25/2020 12:32 PM
01/25/2020 12:32 PM
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,830 Galena, IL
indi
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Posts: 2,830
Galena, IL
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We are so very sorry to learn of Jim's passing. Like many others, Jim introduced us to SXM and Orient Beach. We, too, had a couple of hiccups with missed flights, villa issues, etc. Jim always made things right and went the extra mile for us. Jim and Mary had a long and wonderful life together. Thank you for the gift of knowing SXM!
Joyce M-C
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