Celebration of life in Canton for the late club owner Jimmy Watson on Saturday
CANTON – Attorney Sam Ferruccio Jr. called him a leader and visionary.
James “Jimmy” Watson was also an innovator, said Ferruccio.
“Jimmy was always at the forefront of bringing new ideas to Stark County,” Ferruccio said. “He owned the Pub Club Downtown (now Conestoga Grill) and the Pub Club North (now Jerzee’s Sports Grille in Fulton). He even had a bus to transport guests between the two, making it a memorable experience for everyone.”
Friends will gather Saturday at the Conestoga Grill in Canton for a long-delayed celebration of life in honor of Watson, a North Canton resident who passed away July 23, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Friends in Stark County reflected on Watson’s years of work in the county’s entertainment industry.
“He was always very respectful.”
Rick Taylor, co-owner of Kozmo’s Grille in Massillon, remembers Watson always supporting local restaurants and bars when he was out and about. “He was very respectful of my family when we had our beer distribution business and after we sold it,” Taylor said.
“Watson was always very respectful when speaking to my father, even though he was a customer of ours. Even after we sold Taylor Beverage, every time I saw him, Jimmy would ask about my father and sister. I always appreciated the way he treated our family.”
Who was James “Jimmy” M. Watson?
Watson, 69, will be remembered for his infectious passion for life and his hospitality.
He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, and his family later moved to Canton. After graduating from Lincoln High School, his baseball talent earned him a spot on the Arizona State University squad. He was later inducted into the Greater Canton Amateur Sports Hall of Fame.
According to Watson’s obituary, he also studied at Miami Dade College and Kent State University. After college, he worked as an assistant to Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar and for the Ohio Lottery Commission.
He entered the entertainment business and owned several iconic establishments in Canton. His ventures included two pub clubs, Le Pair in Belpar, Sports Page, Rivera Social Club and his latest venture, Jimmy’s on Portage in Jackson Township.
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Business partner remembers the early days
Dan Duplain, a business partner and longtime friend of Watson, met the two while playing baseball as teenagers and reconnected with them years later at the Pittsburgh airport.
“From that day on, we became instant friends,” Duplain said. “We met every Friday for happy hour. I owned a travel agency and during a trip to Hawaii, we planned our first pub club, which opened on St. Patrick’s Day weekend in 1978. The lines stretched out the door and the place was bustling with life.”
“When the store opened, Jimmy came to my house every Thursday and stayed until Sunday. He was very close to my family.”
Watson’s ventures weren’t just about business; he was about creating experiences. Duplain said they used a refurbished Greyhound bus to transport guests between pub club locations and to sporting events and concerts. He said this was a testament to Watson’s commitment to his guests.
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“Jimmy was also known as ‘Jim the Jeweler,'” Duplain said. “He would buy jewelry during our frequent trips to New York City and sell it in Northeast Ohio. He was a true people person, and selling was second nature to him.”
Friends say Watson “did it his way,” bringing joy, companionship and a love of good food and drink to everyone he met.
“I wasn’t involved in his last project, Jimmy’s on Portage, because things were difficult with my own company in Cleveland. But we always remained good friends. I really miss him,” Duplain added.
Reach Bev at [email protected] or 330-580-8318.
In memory of Jimmy
What: Celebration of the life of James “Jimmy” Watson
When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Conestoga Grill, 217 2nd St. NW in Canton.
More details: The event is open to the public. Those interested in registering should contact Bruce Williams at 330-323-8181.
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