Well-known couple, James (Sonnie) Ruan, and his wife, Easlyn Ruan (formerly Leerdam), of Mount Fortune have just celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary.

The celebration started on Saturday, August 21, when they attended the Mount Fortune Seventh-day Adventist Church, in which they are longstanding members, accompanied by their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. There they were specially recognised and commended by Pastor Virgil Sams and congregation.

Mr. and Mrs. Ruan and children (Photo courtesy Frankie Smith)

The following Sunday, they entertained many church and community members at a luncheon at their home, where one of the couple’s children, Gail Ruan-Ells, said her parents’ long marriage had stood the test of time. She resides in Boston, Massachusetts. Toasts were led by two other children, Neil Ruan who lives in St. Croix and Corlis Ruan-O’Reilly, who came in from St.Thomas. The other children are James and Kim Ruan, both of whom are residents in St. Thomas. There are 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren in the family.

Former Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming and other guests

Mr. and Mrs. Ruan spoke about their lives and experiences and were grateful to all for spending the delightful time at their celebration. Among those in attendance were former Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, and Othlyn Vanterpool, the Elected Representative for District 1. Mr. Fleming spoke of the close relationship he and Sonnie shared as Anguillians living in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, and he was pleased that Sonnie had been able to find a bride and establish a family there.

Pastor and Mrs. Sams and others

Sonnie, a building contractor, migrated to St. Thomas in 1958, where he met Easlyn at an island festival. She had just returned from New York where she lived for two years. They got married on August 24, 1960, a relationship which produced five children, as mentioned above.

They spent many years in St. Thomas raising their children, until Sonnie returned to his native Anguilla in 1987. He was joined in 2005 by Easlyn, following her retirement from the North Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. They now reside permanently in Anguilla.

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