Emilio Campos Jr., retired owner of three Stark County restaurants, has died

Emilio Campos Jr. was an acquired taste. Like a fine wine.

He could be tough, but fair. He demanded the best out of people, but he also listened.

"I think everyone had their moments with him," his son Jason Campos said. "But you were better having him in your life. He made you better."

Emilio Campos Jr. — a longtime Stark County restaurateur — died Sept. 7 in a Florida hospital after a 20-year battle with Parkinson's disease. The Marine veteran was 75.

He and his wife Pamela owned three popular restaurants: Campo's, Ebenezer's and the Cité Grille. He retired from the industry and moved to Florida in 2006 due to the disease.

"We needed to get him out of the winter climate," his wife said.

'He couldn't remember a day that he wasn't in a restaurant'

His life journey began in 1945. 

Born to Emilio Campos Sr. and Mary Campos in Sharon, Pennsylvania, Emilio Jr. was the oldest of four children. The family came to the Canton area and became a fixture in the community and food industry for more than 60 years.

It started with the Leprechaun Inn. Emilio Sr. and Mary ran the establishment from 1946 to 1969 in downtown Canton. Then, they opened Campo's Restaurant in Perry Township across from Central Catholic High School.

Their son Jose Campos later ran the business until his death — while Emilio Jr. charted his own path with Ebenezer's in the early 1980s. The popular eatery ended its 20-year run in 1993 after Emilio Jr. and his mother closed it.

"He told me and Jason (his son) that he couldn't remember a day that he wasn't in a restaurant," daughter Mercedes Campos Hashimura said.

She wrote her father's obituary. In it, she said: "He could be washing dishes, scrubbing potatoes, filling maraschino cherries at the bar, manning the door, cooking, plating, putting out fires (both literal and metaphorical), or enjoying playful banter with guests. Whatever the task at hand, here was a man who poured himself fully into every aspect of what we mortals might call the dining experience." 

Ebenezer's to Cité Grille

Emilio Jr. opened Ebenezer's and Cité Grille several years apart, in the same location on Whipple Avenue NW in Jackson Township. The current occupant is Francisco's Cantina near Cinemark Movie Bistro.

Between Ebenezer's and Cité Grille, Emilio Jr. and his wife traveled the country and gained new culinary experiences. For example, he managed 20 restaurants in the Hilton Head area. They also lived in California's Napa Valley region for a short time.

The couple returned to Stark County and opened Cité Grille in 1991.

Pamela Campos said her husband wanted to be closer to his children, Jason and Mercedes, from a previous marriage. Both graduated from Central Catholic High School.

Emilio Jr. found his most success with Cité Grille which he owned until his retirement in 2006. He elevated American cuisine, the family said, the eatery became a popular spot for local diners.

"We knew the market and we knew what the market would appreciate," Pamela Campos said. "We really wanted to be in the forefront of the culinary world in Canton."

'He was equal parts heart, ambition, curiosity and critic.'

His family said Emilio Jr. had become more mellow while fighting Parkinson's. The 20-year battle took its toll.

"It just breaks you down one piece at a time," Jason said.

Parkinson's is a progressive nervous system disorder that primary attacks movement but also affects cognitive skills. Actor Michael J. Fox and singer Neil Diamond are some celebrities who live with it.

There is currently no cure for the disease.

Emilio Jr. was in the late stages of Parkinson's when he went into the hospital with pneumonia last month. He would never leave. "I got to see him twice," because of Florida's COVID surges, Pamela Campos said.

His children "were not able to hold his hand when he died" due to the restrictions, she added.

His children flew in from their homes. Jason lives in Seattle where he works as a designer. Mercedes is an advertising executive in New York City. They shared stories, laughed and cried.

Jason said COVID concerns have put a memorial service "on pause" until cases come down.

"We plan to come back to Canton" and celebrated their father's life at a later date, he said.

Mercedes noted in her father's obituary that "The same man, who could stare awestruck at a breathtaking valley, would find equal emotional timbre at a piece of silverware not polished properly. He was equal parts heart, ambition, curiosity and critic."

And Pamela Campos said: "He was the best kind of man."

In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be made, in tribute to Emilio Jr., at michaeljfox.org/donate to benefit Parkinson’s research.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com

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