Jules R. Schubot Jewellers’ Douglas Schubot Dies

Detroit--Former Jules R. Schubot Jewellers owner and chairman Douglas Schubot died Thursday, Jan. 18, in Delray Beach, Florida. He was 87 years old.

The longtime Franklin, Michigan resident started learning the jewelry trade in the late 1940s, when he would spend school breaks working for his father, who founded his eponymous company in 1917.

Jules R. Schubot sold high-end jewelry to such well-known people as Henry Ford, Tony Martin, Frank Sinatra and Joan Crawford. He handed the store over to Doug and his wife, Sydell, in 1970.

Their son Brian joined the family business in 1985, and the three of them together transformed the store into a destination private salon in the city that crafted custom pieces for high-end clients.

They managed this not only through great customer service but also with a flair for entertaining. Invitations to their holiday parties were coveted.

Following the recession and economic downtown, the store was forced to close in 2010, though Brian continues to operate as a private jeweler today, according to the store’s website.

In addition to a passion for his work, Schubot also made it a point to give back to the communities in which he did business.

He and his wife hosted “The Magic of Platinum” as a fundraiser for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and attended numerous fundraisers, using the opportunities to showcase their fine jewelry.

Schubot served as past Michigan general chairman of the State of Israel Bonds and was past president of the American Israel Chamber of Commerce, the brotherhood of Temple Beth El and the Centennial Lodge B’nai B’rith.

He also served as a board member of the Michigan Cancer Foundation, Oakland Family Services, Boys and Girls Clubs of Detroit, the Better Business Bureau Eastern Michigan, the Michigan Retailers Association and the Detroit Institute of Arts Founders Junior Council.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sydell; his children, Julie Haimon, Ronald Schubot and Brian (Michele Savas) Schubot; grandchildren Vered Haimon, Ari (Zhana) Haimon, Galia Haimon, Justin Schubot and Zoe Schubot; and great-grandchild Meir Haimon.

Services were held Monday at The Ira Kaufman Chapel in Southfield, Michigan.