Rest in Peace Jim Ruos

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.

Post edited to add the obit.

Very sad to hear about Jim. He represented a wonderful time in our lives, i.e. the discovery of and return to Club O many times. Never met him personally but he was always a gentleman, always helpful. RIP, Jim.

Agreed, always a gentleman, always helpful.

Sad news. RIP Jim.

He made it so easy when we stayed at Club Orient. After reserving through Jim, we would soon receive a packet of information including free drink coupons. And he was always interested in feedback about the unit he recommended. We never met him in person but had several cordial phone conversations. I'm truly sorry to hear of his passing.

I just edited the post to add the obit. There is an address there to send condolences to the family also.

We will miss Jim. He was a gentle soul with a wry sense of humor. We booked almost all of our SXM trips through CITS - including the last one in November 2019. He told us then that it would be the last time we could book through the company. We had the fortune of meeting Jim and Mary only once on a trip to ClubO. Every trip, he would call us when we got home to see how the trip went and to ask for any comments and/or tips for fellow travelers. A true gentleman, and a true scholar.

Sad news indeed. Jim booked every trip for us to SXM, all were at Club O. We met Jim and Mary on one of our trips. He and Mary were friendly and most helpful with any information about SXM and Club O. May he rest in peace. God Bless him, Mary, and his Family..

All of our trips to Orient were booked through Jim. We started at Green Cay Villas, then L'Hoste and Esmeralda. We had met a couple, while there and we ended up renting a Green Cay Villas unit , for several years. One year, our rent mates developed a problem which caused them to cancel. I called Jim and he got us a Beach villa in Club O. We once met Jim and Mary during a stay at L'Hoste. They were very nice.

I just saw this today and needless to say...it broke my heart. We used Jim and Mary to book all of our trips to Club Orient and even got to see them in person on several occasions. Back in 2007 we all went to poulet d'orleans and shared a most wonderful meal together. Jim was always so good to call after a trip. What a wonderful guy.

I am so sorry I am so late but I had to acknowledge my sorrow at his passing.

Cathy--We also booked all our French side trips through Jim and we were lucky to have shared several meals with Jim and Mary, in SXM and in the US. He is missed..

It's been awhile since I tuned in here and an we're greatly saddened by the news of Jim's passing. A gentleman to the core. We used him exclusively to book our vacations on the French side. He even supplied us with a "ticket" for a free drink at Papagayos. A delightful person to talk to and we only wish we had met him in person. May he rest in peace and we will miss him greatly.

Yes, he was a gentleman to the core.