October 6, 2023 at 11:25 a.m.
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Updated October 6, 2023 at 11:25 a.m.
Watkins, Harold "Jay"
Harold "Jay" Watkins, 67 passed away on October 2nd, 2023.
Harold Jay, known to most as Jay, was born on March 23, 1956 to Judith Watson Watkins and John Barry Watkins in Madison, WI. He attended Barneveld High School and graduated in 1974. He briefly attended the University of Wisconsin until his father's passing, then traveled to England to be with his mother and brothers. He then traveled to Brazil to spend time with friends he met in school. Jay returned to Wisconsin and worked at Hi-Point Steak House, The Thyms Supper Club and The Hoffman House Restaurant.
In 1977 he moved to downtown Chicago and worked in restaurant management for The Palmer House Hilton, The Hyatt Regency and Arnie Morton Restaurants, while at the same time he studied dance at Northwestern University and Fred Astaire on State Street. Jay also enjoyed playing the piano and the organ.
In 1985 Jay moved to Florida and reached his Professional dance statues and over the next 35 years built The Dance Magic Dance Studio, The Step'N Out School of Dance, The New York City Ballroom Dinner and Dance Club - all in the Clearwater area, and for the past 25 years, The Jay Watkins Palm Beach Ballroom and Latin Dance Club in Palm Beach. He built Watkins Television Production and produced The Dance Magic TV Show and The Dance Show Case TV Show.
Jay met and danced with many celebrities and legends in his career and was requested to teach members and friend of Mar-A-Lago and also the Governor's Club where he also was a member.
He traveled often to dance competitions in the States and abroad and enjoyed the SS Concorde and the Orient Express when traveling to and through Europe. He was a dedicated fund raiser for various Non-Profit charities but was closest to The Sickle Cell Foundation of Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast. In 2003 he founded The Jay Watkins Fund for Children with Sickle Cell Disease to help the children and their families with medications and unmet needs.
Jay became ill in 2015 with heart disease followed by cancer. He fought hard and wanted to thank the family and friends that were so helpful.
Harold Jay is survived by his mother Judith Watson Watkins, brothers James Thomas Watkins (Cheryl), Richard Todd Watkins (Diana): nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his father John Barry Watkins; grandparents, G.A. and Mildred Watson and Harold and Ateta Watkins; nephew Jonathon J Watkins; great nephew Finley J Watkins; Aunt Rebecca Watson Bogutski ; great aunts and uncles.
Burial will be at the White Church Cemetery in Barneveld, WI. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jay Watkins Fund for Children with Sickle Cell Disease at 561-833-3113 or go to www.sicklecellpbc.org or google Jay Watkins Palm Beach.
