Longtime businessman and true baseball fan Barry Ruben has died.
Ruben suffered a stroke Monday and died Tuesday.
Ruben, on the left with his late father is publicly known for two high profile achievements, his longtime co-ownership and presidency of the Lima Bargain Center on South Dixie highway and as an owner and General Manager of the Lima Locos collegiate baseball team.
Ruben was the person behind bringing Rob Livchak to Lima to coach the Locos, meeting him at a deli in Toledo in 1991, and when Livchak left the Locos Ruben tracked him down and brought him back for a second stint as coach.
Livchak says Lima lost a special person Tuesday.
What the general public knew about Barry Ruben was the Lima Bargain Center and the Locos. What the public didn't know was his behind-the-scenes efforts to make Lima better.
He didn't seek out the limelight or a pat-on-the-back, that was for someone else.
His brother-in-law Harold Waronker, who worked with Ruben for years, says Barry was one-of-a-kind.
Visitation for Ruben will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 at Chiles Laman Shawnee chapel.
Graveside services will be Thursday morning at 10:30 at Shaare Zedek cemetery.
And the family has announced the Lima Bargain Center and Lima Floor covering will be closed Thursday in honor of Ruben.
Barry Ruben was 71 years old.
