If you are above a certain age and you are asked to talk about an iconic business or thing from the past about the City of Bridgeport, there is a pretty good chance one of the things out of your mouth will be Furbee’s Pharmacy

 

If you are to ask someone to name a well-known and historic Bridgeport Church, one of the names that will come off many lips will be Bridgeport United Methodist Church.

 

Less than a week ago, on March 3 to be exact, an individual intimately involved with Bridgeport’s historic past, whose fingerprints are still embedded in the city to this day, passed away. Last Sunday, James Watson Furbee, also known under his stage name Rhys Watson, passed at 92.

 

Anyone of a certain age, already appreciates what the Furbee family means to the City of Bridgeport. Hopefully, those younger folks reading this will appreciate it as well.

 

In this very blog I have spoken fondly many times of James Furbee’s brother Carl, a lifelong resident who lived and died here, became the city’s mayor, and was so creative in office he set the city up for the massive development you see today.

 

Carl was not alone. In fact, it is pretty much the entire family that contributed in either public, quiet, or unnoticed ways. James Furbee contributed mightily and may have only been lesser known as he left the city to pursue his love of acting and theater.

 

Even at that time decades ago, taking a chance in acting was no recipe for success. What Furbee already had in place was a recipe for a comfortable life.

 

His father, Carl E. Furbee Sr., started Furbee’s Pharmacy on Second Street in Clarksburg. Like many businesses, it took a hit during the depression years. Eventually, Furbee Sr. took his business to downtown Bridgeport.

 

“He moved it next to the Benedum Civic Center in a building that previously housed JT Martin’s Variety Store. The business was there from 1931 to 1935,” said Carl Furbee III, the nephew of James Furbee and the son of the former mayor. “Then, the business moved beside the space today where Almost Heaven Desserts is located (Expressions Hair Designs & Wigs) until around 1956-57. After that, the family moved the business to what was then a brand spanking new Valley Hills Shopping Plaza.”

 

Furbee’s Pharmacy stayed there until 1986. The business, which had already been sold to Carl Jr., would eventually be sold to Rite-Aid and ended the run of a business that was so critical to the community that, “People would stop in after having their babies to show us,” their family members recalled of the men running the store.

 

It is very important to note James Furbee was established beyond the pharmacy world. He was the Bridgeport High School class president, co-captain of the football team, and in the school’s thespian group. That thespian group fed his love for acting he carried, much like the love for his family, until he drew his last breath.

 

He was a graduate of West Virginia University, where he was the lead in the play “Death of Salesman,” while in Pharmacy School. James Furbee was a Navy veteran during the Korean War, a husband, a father, a grandfather, uncle, friend and much more. He was also just a bit more than active in the church community.

 

James Furbee was a charter member of the Bridgeport United Methodist Church. That alone would be a historic achievement for the ages, but he managed to teach Sunday school, sing in the choir, and serve on the board of directors.

 

As he was growing professionally, he was raising a family as well. He married Nellie Bly Toothman in 1952. They became the parents to James Edwin “Ed” Furbee and Kathleen Elizabeth Furbee.

 

On the professional front, James Furbee was already a known commodity around town. Like the rest of the family in the business, the community loved him.

 

“It was hard not to like him. Uncle Jim’s eyes would sparkle, and he would smile when you walked into the pharmacy,” said niece Lisa Furbee Ford. “When he wanted to know what was going on with your life, he really wanted to know. He had such a vast knowledge. He knew a little bit about everything from music and singing to all the arts. He was an artist on so many levels and he was multi-dimensional.”

 

When talking to Carl, the unofficial family historian, as well as Lisa Furbee Ford, both described him as a “renaissance man” based on his wide range of knowledge.

 

Even a successful person like James Furbee, who appeared to have it all, saw life deliver a cruel blow still early in his years. His wife would pass away in 1967.

 

“That was such a traumatic event for him,” said Carl. “He kind of took off after that but was still a pharmacist. That work helped fund his acting aspirations.”

 

Carl said his “Uncle Jim” almost made on to Broadway – getting to off Broadway. “He loved to act,” said Carl, who also remembers a motorcycle his uncle would drive around Bridgeport.

 

Eventually, James Furbee adopted the stage name Rhys Watson to fuel his acting. He worked as a pharmacist throughout West Virginia and Texas to allow him to live comfortably.

 

“He wound up settling down in the eastern panhandle and acting there. He was happy there,” said Carl, a 1978 Bridgeport High School graduate. “I just know he was such an interesting man with something always interesting to say. He loved to travel and loved to act, and that was where his head was. He was a wonderful person.”

 

The obituary stated he was a performer at the “Old Opera House” and other venues in the area. James, or rather Rhys, loved the stage where he could be seen. The scenario is ironic because for those not versed in the city’s history, his contributions may not be able to be seen. But they are there. They are part of a wonderful legacy the Furbee family has provided a community thriving in large part because of the presence of several of their family members.

 

James Watson Furbee was one of those members. Rest in Peace James. Your work here is complete.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the Furbee's Pharmacy crew of, from left, Carl Furbee Jr., Carl Furbee Sr., and James Furbee. In the second photo, shown from left, are Carl Furbee Jr., Enid Furbee Crawford (Jame's sister), John Furbee (Jame's brother) father Carl Furbee Sr., James Furbee, and mother Ruth Furbee. In the third photo, he is shown during one of his many pharmacist gigs to help him do what he loved - acting. In the fourth photo he is shown performing, likely under his stage name of Rhys Watson. All photos courtesy of James Furbee's daughter Kathleen and the Furbee family. On a personal note, it was wonderful to talk to such nice people. I enjoyed it tremendously and the only regret being it made me sad knowing I never got a chance to know James Furbee.