No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to spotlight our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbors of the week are Timmy and Samantha Arce, a go-to couple for volunteering to organize charity events, hurricane relief efforts and more. Sam is president of the Conch Scramble board and on the board of the Florida Keys Board of Realtors Charitable Trust. They helped found the Fish for Holly Sailfish Tournament. Timmy was a fishing captain for 28 years as Native Conch Charters and is now bartending at Marker 88. Samantha is a real estate agent with Better Homes & Gardens and was a bartender at Old Tavernier for 18 years. The Islamorada residents are raising three daughters — Addison, 20; Joey, 17; and Marley, 15.
How long have you lived in the Keys? Sam: We were both born here and delivered by the same doctor. Interestingly, our youngest daughter was also delivered by the same doctor. Timmy was one of his first deliveries and Marley was one of his last.
What drew you to the Keys? Timmy: The water. It’s too hard to leave, there is so much history here. It’s important to tell the stories of what life used to be like.
Sam: My family moved back to Texas where I was raised but I came back in my early 20s following graduating high school in Miami.
What do you enjoy most about your work? Sam: I love when I can connect local families with home ownership. I was in hospitality starting at 15 and started the transition to real estate about five years ago.
Timmy: Since Sam is now home for dinner every night, the whole family dynamic has changed. It’s been wonderful for our kids.
What led you to be in the occupation you’re in? Timmy: I knew early in high school at Island Christian School that I wanted to be a captain. I turned down all but one scholarship and that one was from Joe Roth II and Eileen Mason at the old Holiday Isle. That scholarship paid for captain school and Coast Guard licensing.
Weirdest experience you’ve had in the Keys? Timmy: Evacuating for Hurricane Irma. We’d never left before. Kids were young and we told them each to grab one toy.
Sam: The time the marina called to tell me Timmy was lost at sea. I knew he was in a wooden boat and was hyperventilating in panic. Once his mom heard the news, she assured me he knew the water too well to be lost. Turns out, radio connection was all that was lost.
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? Sam: Papa Samuel. I was supposed to be a boy. We had birthdays one day apart. He had the biggest heart, was the head of the United Way in his town. It makes me sad that my kids and husband didn’t get to meet him.
Timmy: My grandfather, Lewis Moore. He worked for Alonzo Cothran, a builder who developed much of Islamorada. People told me about him, that he survived the 1935 hurricane, dug canals in Venetian Shores and was well respected. My brothers told me he was one tough dude.
If you had a superpower, what would it be? Timmy: Time travel. Then I wouldn’t have flipped that damn box truck. That really hurt. (Note: Timmy was in a caravan to provide relief after Hurricane Michael when the load shifted in the truck causing the flip on a highway.)
Favorite Food? Timmy: Sandwiches, any kind. I tell my kids if someone calls saying they are holding me for ransom, ask them my favorite food. If they don’t know, they don’t have me.
Sam: My Papa was half Mexican, that is my favorite.
Favorite movie? Sam: When Timmy needs a good cry, he goes to “Remember the Titans.” I’m a movie addict, but my favorite has to be “Spaceballs.”
What are your hobbies? Sam: Baking and volunteering. As president of the Conch Scramble Charity Golf Tournament, we just finished distributing $87,000 to our grantees. I’m so proud of finally bringing in over $100,000 this year alone allowing for the donations and covering event costs. Tim is always first to step in to do anything that needs to be done.
Is there a skill/talent you want to master? Sam: I want to relearn how to play the cello. Music was a huge part of my life growing up and I got one from Facebook Marketplace a couple years ago.
Timmy: I regret that I never learned to play an instrument.
What are you most proud of as you look back on your life this far? Our babies.
What is the biggest daily challenge you face? Timmy: We are a dying breed here, the middle class. We transitioned careers to be able to stay for the long term. We want to finally feel above the water and keep the last piece of land still in the Arce family, next to Green Turtle.
