Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,431
Posts310,076
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 115
pat 42
Todd 40
jazzgal 40
Member Spotlight
Aries4
Aries4
Morrisville, PA/West End, Tortola
Posts: 437
Joined: July 2006
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
36 registered members (CJIMI, cabokid, bailau, Zanshin, OceanSong, Donaegada, caribbeangirl13, timnboston, RickG, Fran, eightzerobits, Bernd, kaba, SURICK, Michel_Benarrosh, Kennys, tradewinds, JeanneB, steve74, SacoFrank, blooming, SXMScubaman, RonDon, WCHam, 12 invisible), 980 guests, and 67 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Rest in Peace Jim Ruos #214615
01/18/2020 09:43 PM
01/18/2020 09:43 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
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!! grin 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!!! duh 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.

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

[Linked Image]

Last edited by Carol_Hill; 01/20/2020 01:48 PM.

Carol Hill
SXM Sponsors
Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: Carol_Hill] #214646
01/19/2020 07:38 AM
01/19/2020 07:38 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 601
PA
ChuckG Offline
Traveler
ChuckG  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 601
PA
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.


Chuck and Joni
Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: ChuckG] #214704
01/19/2020 02:04 PM
01/19/2020 02:04 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Agreed, always a gentleman, always helpful.


Carol Hill
Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: Carol_Hill] #214804
01/19/2020 11:00 PM
01/19/2020 11:00 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 431
Indiana
CarlosII Offline
Traveler
CarlosII  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 431
Indiana
Sad news. RIP Jim.

Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: Carol_Hill] #214881
01/20/2020 01:08 PM
01/20/2020 01:08 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
Biturbo Offline
Traveler
Biturbo  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,081
Clearwater, FL
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.

Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: Biturbo] #214890
01/20/2020 01:49 PM
01/20/2020 01:49 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
I just edited the post to add the obit. There is an address there to send condolences to the family also.


Carol Hill
Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: Carol_Hill] #215033
01/21/2020 02:04 PM
01/21/2020 02:04 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241
North NJ, 1720 miles from Para...
Kathleen Offline
Traveler
Kathleen  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,241
North NJ, 1720 miles from Para...
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.


That's why I wander and follow La Vie Dansante, that's all I want, La Vie Dansante (JB)
Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: Carol_Hill] #215142
01/22/2020 02:39 PM
01/22/2020 02:39 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
o2bnsxm Offline
Traveler
o2bnsxm  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,146
Louisiana
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..

Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: Carol_Hill] #215806
01/27/2020 08:51 PM
01/27/2020 08:51 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 172
Florida
jar867 Offline
Traveler
jar867  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 172
Florida
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.

Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: Carol_Hill] #228922
06/28/2020 01:36 PM
06/28/2020 01:36 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,116
missouri
Cathyg Offline
Traveler
Cathyg  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,116
missouri
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.


[Linked Image]
Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: Cathyg] #228930
06/28/2020 02:55 PM
06/28/2020 02:55 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
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..


Carol Hill
Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: Carol_Hill] #229077
07/01/2020 09:54 AM
07/01/2020 09:54 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,012
The Jersey Shore
Pan Offline
Traveler
Pan  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,012
The Jersey Shore
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.



Re: Rest in Peace Jim Ruos [Re: Pan] #229084
07/01/2020 10:38 AM
07/01/2020 10:38 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline OP
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Yes, he was a gentleman to the core.


Carol Hill

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1