Remembering Carlos Arruda

Family members, friends, coworkers and many community members are mourning the death of Carlos Arruda, who died Thursday of complications following surgery for a brain tumour.

He was 52.

“It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that Dumanski Office Interiors and Compass Imaging announces the untimely passing of Carlos Arruda,” wrote Lisa Brechin, Dumanski Office Interiors/Compass Imaging Group and Sign Systems vice president, in an email received Friday morning.

Arruda worked in sales at DOI/Compass. 

“Carlos has been a friend and employee since the late 80’s, when he joined McClleland Dumanski Ltd. as a young, energetic and good natured guy,” Brechin wrote.

Arruda was a cherished employee at the business as it evolved over the years, becoming Dumanski Office, Compass Imaging and Mirtec Canada.

“Through the years Carlos also grew with the business, acquiring knowledge, skills and valuable customer relations in all divisions of the company. He was a wonderful person and always represented DOI in an exemplary manner,” Brechin wrote.

“Carlos has many good friends and business associates who will miss him greatly. Those who knew him well can say that he never let them down. There was never a need too big that he wouldn’t respond to. He was kind, generous and thoughtful. That was Carlos.”

“To us, with whom he spent so many days of his life, Carlos will always be fondly remembered and deeply valued, not just as a true asset to DOI/Compass, but as a family member who we will continue to miss every single day,” Brechin wrote.

“He valued his faith and his family above all else.” 

Later Friday, speaking to SooToday by phone, Brechin said “I’ve been getting condolences all morning from so many people who loved him and appreciated him in the business community.”

“He was very, very well known. We often would joke around here and say ‘who doesn’t know Carlos?’ Whether it was at the hockey rink or the football field, or whatever cause, Carlos was the one to respond. If it was the death of somebody or somebody died tragically he was the first one to jump in and see what he could do to help. He would help in any way, whether it be a banner or decals we would print in memory of the person. He was that type of person.” 

“He was very into sports. At sporting events, he enjoyed watching other people’s children play sports, as well as his own children,” Brechin said.

“There’s a huge gap at the office. There’s a big void for us.”

“Hard working. Honest. Genuine. That's just a few of the many words you can use to describe Carlos,” wrote Gerry Liscumb Jr., Soo Greyhounds public relations director, in a Facebook message. 

“Today our community mourns another one of the good guys gone too soon. To his family, friends, work associates and everyone he has touched in the Sault, my thoughts and prayers are with you all,” the Greyhounds official wrote.

“Sault Ste. Marie has lost a generous community man in the wonderful person of Carlos Arruda,” wrote Frank O’Connor, Voyageurs’ Lodge and Cookhouse owner/operator, also on Facebook.  

“Carlos and I had a kind of small unique relationship. Every Christmas Eve for the last half dozen years or so, we would sit together for mass at St. Gerard Majella parish. His sister was in the choir there, and Christmas Eve mass was very special. Prior to mass commencing, when you are supposed to be silently praying, we would exchange family pleasantries, catch up, and just laugh a little (quietly). I looked forward to this night because I knew I would see Carlos and Trish and his beautiful family. This year we could not meet due to the pandemic.”

“There is a large group of hockey parents out there who grew together with Carlos and Trish and their boys, and they will be in mourning too. Hockey brings families together, and Carlos was certainly part of the Sault hockey family,” O’Connor wrote. 

Arruda is survived by his wife Trish and sons Jordan, Ryan, Cole and Ethan.