"My husband & I met Jim when we had our roof & gutters replaced. He came to our house to see the finished job, I assume, or to pick up the check we owed him!!! He pulled up in his beautiful white SUV & came in the house, for what must have seemed to be an eternity to his family!! We were sitting having coffee & a baked food, when we heard a knock on the door & it was one of his sons that came to check & see that he was OK! I believe Barb was getting concerned about his whereabouts & sent their son to check up on him. My husband, Jim & I were just having a nice chat & found that we had several people in common! It was so innocent yet concerning to his family. He was a wonderful man & when I went to see him @ his office, I saw then how much he loved his family as he went through every picture that he had on display & told me the history of them. He was a pillar of the community & will be greatly missed. I?m writing this so late because I just found out about his passing yesterday. May God Bless Jim & the entire family he leaves behind. So very sorry for your loss. Tom & Judi Dudley"
In loving memory of
James A. LaRuez
December 2, 1944 - April 29, 2022
After a long fought illness, Jim passed peacefully, April 29, 2022 with Barbara, the love of his life by his side. Jim is predeceased by his mother, Edyvean LaRuez; sister, Elizabeth Phillips. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara (Wegman) LaRuez; children, Paul (Jennifer) LaRuez, Wendy LaRuez, Jim (Beverly) LaRuez, Mark (Maryanne) LaRuez; grandchildren, Tim (Sarah) Latus, Felicia Turner, Amber Turner, Alex Phillips, MeKenzie (Jordan) Defone, Eric LaRuez, Ashley VanDermeer, Jason LaRuez, Brad Boyce, Jenna LaRuez, Emily VanDermeer, Katie LaRuez, Hannah LaRuez, Julia LaRuez, Grace LaRuez; great-grandchildren, Sierra, Giavanna, Hailey & Mariella; several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, dear friends & business associates.
Special thanks to Dr. John Robb for the wonderful care he gave Jim. Jim was the owner/operator for more than 30 years of Fulmer Construction.
Jim's life story will be shared during his visitation, Thursday, May 5th, 3-7 PM at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.). His Funeral Mass will be celebrated, Friday, May 6th, 9:30 AM at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 3003 Dewey Ave. Immediately following, he will be laid to rest in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
James A. LaRuez Life Story
Jim was a survivor, a hard worker, and a provider. He met his wife Barb in 1968 at the 819 Club and they were married two years later on April 18, 1970. Throughout their 52 years of marriage, Jim's top priority was his family. He was especially close with his father-in-law, Ed Wegman, who helped him become the best father and husband he could be. He put his wife, children, and grandchildren above all else and worked hard to provide them with a good life.
Jim was employed in the construction industry for most of his life and bought Fulmer Construction in 1989. He ran Fulmer Construction himself, working 6 days a week until he became sick in November 2021. You could often find him working diligently in the office while listening to the RPD police scanner. To Jim, though, this hard work wasn't really work - it was something he enjoyed and was very proud of.
Outside of work, Jim was an avid league bowler for over 40 years (he even worked in the bowling alley as a pinsetter as a young boy). He loved golf and softball, watching the Buffalo Bills and the New York Yankees, and listening to Elvis Presley. Jim was known for saying "It is what it is" and approaching life with strength, drive, and determination. He will be remembered with love by his family, friends, and all those who knew him over the years.
Tributes
"To Barbra and family. My sincerest condolences on the loss of Jim. I was able to become acquainted with the family through several home improvement projects over the last ten years. Jim's kindness and love for his family was apparent and is a gift that has extended to your family generations. Joe Addante"
"Barb, So sadden to read about the passing of Jim. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Ron and Sue Hutchings"
"Barbara & Family, Our sincere and deepest sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Your neighbor, Willie & Liz Jones"
"Barb and family, Jim was the best for Arcadia basketball when I was coaching back in the day. He was always at Jim and Mark's games and always donated money to have a Dan Fullmer ad in our program. Barb, you were there too! We had windows installed from your company! John Wallace who played basketball in the pros for a number of years played in his first league with Jim as his coach. That was when John was in middle school. Jim, always a pleasure to be in your life. I hope the good memories of Jim will fill the void he leaves in your lives. God Bless."
"Sending deepest condolences. I always enjoyed talking with him. "
"Mr. Laruez was a great person and father. He reminded everyone to be a good person and to be respectful of others without saying a word. He will be missed but not forgotten. Ben Semrau."
"Jim lived for his family! He was a good and gentle man! I will miss him!"