![]() James was proceeded in death by his parents Charles and Thelma Villa his grandson Billy Villa (parents Jamie and Wade Gibby) his brother Chuck Villa (Mary). He had a great sense of humor and was a fantastic story teller. He loved Lake Erie and being at camp with friends and family and cooking for everyone. Jim was an avid sports man, he hunted, fished, snowmobiled, rode 4 wheelers, and loved boating. He enjoyed skeet shooting at the Erie Skeet Club and belonged to many other clubs in the Erie area. He helped start S.O.N.S of Lake Erie and belonged to Ducks Unlimited. Jim never met a club he didn’t want to join! He was a founding member of The Commodore Perry Yacht Club and Bay City Gun Club. He finally “retired” after selling the gallery but continued to do wood work and make signs for friends and family. He also opened Hearthside Gallery in North East. He made hand carved signs (if you drive into North East, you can still see his work when entering town). He opened a car lot, a gun shop that he ran with dear friends Tony Vacanti and Joe Ott (VOV OUTFITTERS). After selling Villa Medical Supply he had many businesses. Jim sold Pharma for Pfizer in his early career years until he decided to open VILLA MEDICAL SUPPLY. He was inducted into the Metropolitan Erie Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and the North East Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. Jim was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the 11th round in 1957, he ended up playing in Canada for the Ottawa Rough Riders where an injury ended his career. “Poncho” was inducted into the Allegheny Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and is also on Allegheny’s 1978 All Century Team. Jim is one of only 2 Gators that have consecutive 200-yard rushing games and still holds records at his alma mater. When he returned from Korea he enrolled at Allegheny College (class of 1958) in Meadville Pa, where he continued his education in business and played football. Years later he would claim that while in Korea “his feet were never dry”. He was sent to Korea and spent 14 months there. Jim played one season at YSU and then joined the Marines. After graduating he took his talents to Youngstown State University. In high school James was a stand out football player. He was a 1952 graduate of North East High School. He was born October 2, 1934, in North East Pa to Charles and Thelma Villa. James Carl “Poncho” Villa of Erie Pa, passed away on May 17, 2022.
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