Jimele Aly Hamway

Jimele Aly Hamway "Jim" passed away at the Ebeid Hospice Residence in Sylvania on Friday, June 1, 2012. Jim has battled cancer for the past seven years, but it was only the past few months where the cancer really affected his life. Up until just a couple of months ago, he was doing what he enjoyed most, driving his granddaughter Elizabeth from place to place. Jim spent his retirement helping care for his grandchildren and sometimes his adult children, usually when something needed to be fixed. Jim is survived by Shirley, his wife of fifty years, his son Tom, daughter Sue, and three grandchildren Ashley, Thomas and Elizabeth. Jim also had many nieces and nephews with which he shared a close relationship. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his six sisters. Jim was born in Oldham, South Dakota on April 9, 1934 to Lebanese immigrants, Aly and Sofie Hamway. The Hamways moved to Toledo in 1942. Jim graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 1952. After high school, Jim attended Ohio University for a short period just prior to the death of his father. After his father's passing, Jim returned home to help care for his mother and operate the family business, Aly's Bar in downtown Toledo. This was the start of a lifelong career in the restaurant and bar business in Toledo. During the 1950's and 1960's Jim also owned and operated the Caravan Club and the theatrical Bar in downtown Toledo. In 1958 Jim served in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona for two years. In 1968, he bought Sebastian's Restaurant on Reynolds Road and a few years later, purchased the Town & Country Lounge in the Ottawa Hills Shopping Center. For several years, he operated both locations before selling Sebastian's in the early 70's. He operated the Town & Country successfully until 1980, when he sold it and took a short break. In 1982, Jim opened Hamway's Food and Spirits atAlexis and Monroe in Sylvania and this time he was joined by his wife and children. It was an immediate success. He was back doing what he was good at and what he enjoyed. He operated this local favorite for eighteen years until he decided to retire in 2000. The retirement lasted for about one year, when he decided he wanted to go one more time. In 2002 Jim, Shirley and Sue opened Hamway's on the Main in the Promenade Shops on Monroe Street in Sylvania. They operated it very successfully for five years when Jim decided it was time to retire for good this time. Jim's son, Tom, and a small group of his close friends, bought the business in 2007. After five years, guests at Hamway's still come in looking for Jim and Shirley. After retiring from the restaurant business, his new job was driving his beloved grandchildren wherever they wanted, whenever they wanted. His joy was to be with them. He adored them and they adored him. Jim and Shirley were childhood friends. They married in 1961 at the Park Lane Hotel. They enjoyed a quiet lifestyle at home and looked forward to family vacations each summer on Hilton Head Island and their fall and winter visits to Florida. He didn't like to stay in Florida for too long at one time, because he missed his grandkids too much. The feeling was mutual. Jim loved being with his grandchildren, who affectionately referred to him as Doe. He attended every dance and sporting event he could and made many trips back and forth to Miami University and Bowling Green State University to visit Ashley and Thomas during the school year. Jim loved being in the restaurant business. He was a hard-working, hands on owner. He took great pleasure in the relationships he developed with his guests, employees and suppliers. Hamway's had many regular customers that had been visiting for years. It seemed as though Jim and Shirley knew every guest by name. Jim will be remembered dearly as a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Thank you to the nurses at the Toledo Hospital Intensive Care Unit and the staff at the Ebeid Hospice Residence for the care they provided during the final days. Visitation will be at the Walker Funeral Home located at 5155 West Sylvania Avenue Toledo, OH 43623 on Sunday, June 3, 2012 between 3:00pm - 8:00pm. The funeral service will be held at the Walker Funeral Home as well on Monday, June 4, 2012 at 10:00am. Following the funeral service Jim will be buried at the Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ebeid Hospice Residence, 5200 Harroun Rd. Sylvania, OH 43560 or the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, 25877 Scheider Rd. Perrysburg, OH 43551.