Flamboyan On The Bay Resort & Villas is family-owned — and we truly appreciate every guest’s visit.
Whether you check-in for a one-time stay or return year after year, it warms our hearts when you arrive to spend time at our ‘slice of paradise’ on St. Thomas. In fact, we like to consider you part of our extended family.
Of course, the more often you return, the better we get to know you. That’s a privilege we look forward to — and in the spirit of this Happy Holiday season — we’d like to shine a spotlight on two people who spread joy each time they are here.
We know they’ll deflect any special attention — but it’s our great pleasure to introduce you to Lee and Jim Duncan of Miami Beach, Florida. This ever-upbeat duo visited us for the first time 30 years ago. They’ve been returning on an annual basis ever since and it’s always a treat to host them.
Above: Jim and Lee Duncan of Miami Beach enjoy a relaxing moment at holiday time on St. Thomas.
With a warm smile, Lee confirmed, “We’ve considered St. Thomas our second home since 1991.”
The Duncans first met at work in North Carolina and then were transferred to the Miami area. Today, their youthful energy and attitude belie the fact that Jim and Lee are both retirees with 41 and 36 years of service, respectively.
“We retired from a great company, BellSouth, now AT&T,” said Jim, adding, “I started out as a telephone operator.” Over time, he worked his way through the ranks to the position of service executive — but not without making a unique imprint along the way.
“Back in the day when I started, being a telephone operator was a job done strictly by women,” he recalled. “There were no male operators; I was the only one.”
The Duncans’ employment history gets even more intriguing because Lee worked as an engineer. That title placed her clearly in the minority, as well.
“Lee has a degree in engineering, I took the hard knocks option,” Jim explained with a chuckle.
In their personal lives, Jim and Lee are devoted animal lovers. “We have six cats at home,” said Jim.
Lee shared that one of the many reasons they enjoy staying at Flamboyan is because we maintain a Cat Sanctuary on the property where feral and domesticated felines survive — and thrive. “We enjoy seeing all the cats that live here,” she said. (You can read more about our on-premise Cat Sanctuary here.)
Firm believers in giving back to the community — including their second home — the Duncans use a considerable portion of their annual vacation time to volunteer at the Humane Society of St. Thomas.
“We walk the dogs at the shelter and socialize with the cats,” Lee said. The Duncans also donate pet food and provide snacks to the staff.
Above: General manager Lori Baskin, center, shares a hug with Jim and Lee Duncan during the couple’s 30th visit to Flamboyan Resort.
“Rhea and the gang there are all wonderful people,” said Jim. “We’d like to take all the cats and dogs home with us — but our cats wouldn’t approve.”
Over the years, in addition to the humane society team — and the staff at Flamboyan — the Duncans have made a number of friends on St. Thomas.
“We love to visit our island friends —and the restaurants, too,” said Jim. During a recent stay, they gave kudos to Root 42 Bar & Grill, One Pub, and Sib’s. “At Hook’d, we had some wonderful Wahoo and Mahi,” said Jim.
The staff and management at Flamboyan want to say “thank you” to the Duncans for supporting our community’s small businesses and non-profit organizations year after year — and for becoming part of our extended family.
To all our past, present, and future guests,
“We wish you Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year!”
Hope to see you in 2022.
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