James Louis Rakusin

Rakusin, James Louis, 92, passed away peacefully with his family by his side January 17, 2011. Loving husband to Beatrice (deceased) and loving father to Stephen (wife Marlene) Richard (wife Lonnie) Robert (wife Terri) Sherri Ruttner (husband Mitchell). Brother of Hannah Vetterlein and Marshall Rakusin. Jimmy is survived by twelve grandchildren including Mitchell Rakusin, Alex Caruso, Haley and Teri Rakusin, Rachel, Robin and Zach Rakusin, Aaron, Matt and Jordana Nichol, Laura and Adam Ruttner. He was born in Providence, R.I. on December 16, 1918 to Max and Edith. After attending Central High School, he joined the Navy in 1940. Jimmy served in World War II as a Radioman on Destroyer Escorts. In February of 1943, Jimmy was aboard the USS Smith in the battle of Santa Cruz. In this battle the USS Hornet (aircraft carrier) was sunk. After a Japanese bomber plane crashed into the bridge of his destroyer, killing 58 crew and officers, Jimmy and others rushed on deck, threw the unexploded Japanese torpedoes overboard and helped extinguish the raging gasoline fire to save the ship. For that, he was awarded the Silver Star and a Presidential Citation. After the war, Jimmy married his sweetheart Beatrice, and lived in Providence. The family moved to North Miami Beach in 1959. Jimmy worked as a salesman for Coplan Pipe & Supply until he retired. Jimmy lived an active life, playing golf and tennis, and spent his last several years at Lake Worth Gardens. Services at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 20, 2011, at Beth David Memorial Gardens, 3201 N. 72nd Avenue, Hollywood, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his honor to Hospice By The Sea, Boca Raton, Florida.