PATRICK WILLIAM WATT

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PATRICK WILLIAM WATT Peacefully, and after a long battle with Leukemia, Bill passed away at Riverview Health Centre in Winnipeg on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Left to mourn Bill's passing are his family: son William (Catherine) and grandchildren Nicholas, Georgina and Margrett; daughter Jamie and grandchildren Joshua (Joëlle Emond) and Jacob (Oelkers); son Allan (all of Winnipeg); and son Kristopher (Jennifer) and grandchildren Reece, Flora, Lachlan, Tevia and Theo (Kelowna, BC). He was predeceased by his wife of 48 years, Shirley Geraldine Watt (née Tomsic) in 2006. Bill was born in Winnipeg on January 11, 1930 to William Joseph Watt and Georgina Forman Davidson, both immigrants to Canada from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Dad was a child of the Great Depression but thankfully had a steady childhood, as his dad remained employed by CN Rail. Raised at 1117 Ingersoll Street, he attended Principal Sparling School until Grade 8 before starting work. He was a licensed baker with the Pauline Chambers Company (1945 to 1947), briefly apprenticed as a carpenter with CN Rail (1948) and worked at Fairfax (Piggly Wiggly) Bakery (1948 to 1950). As a child, the family travelled freely on the CN lines, following father William across Canada and the US as part of the CNR Pipe Band. This inspired Dad's own love of travel. In his late teens and early 20s, he became a member of the Roughrider Motorcycle (1945 to 1950), Red River Ramblers (1950 to 1952) and Winnipeg Sports Car (1950) Clubs, seeking adventures across Canada and along the eastern seaboard of the US down to Florida, and along Route 66 through to Tijuana. Dad would always recall with fondness these places and the "boys" who went with him! Bill then settled down to work at the Ashdown Hardware Company (1950 to 1965). It was there that he formed many lifelong friendships but also met a fellow co-worker of particular interest, Shirley Tomsic. They were married March 29, 1958. With a new house at 881 Strathcona Street, it was not long before the couple were blessed with the first of their four children. While weekends were spent attending the old St. Andrew's United Church on Elgin Street, summers were laden with the enjoyment of waters, from Lake Winnipeg to Brereton, Malachi, Redditt and Kakabeka. From 1958 to 1984, the family were active boating enthusiasts, being involved with Buchanan Marine Ltd., near the Louise Bridge. Dad would often be seen on "The Jackson" or the "Thunderbird". This rich boating legacy lives on among Bill's children. Always interested in the technical side of life, Dad obtained his certificate as a 4th Class Power Engineer and served the rest of his career as a maintenance specialist with the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission (1965 to 1994). In 1975, the family moved to St. James. Dad found new hobbies and interests to keep himself busy: as he was himself a member of the Epworth Scouts (13th Troop) as a kid, his children became involved with Brownies, Beavers, Cubs, and Scouts, as well as many other activities including the Sea Cadets, and the Stirling-Centennial and Glenaura Pipe Bands. "Pop" would be seen marching alongside of the bands during the annual parade and festival seasons. Winters were especially memorable, as Bill stepped into the role of Santa Claus, his flowing white hair and beard bringing smiles to the faces of children at countless schools, hospitals and community centres as he heartily "ho, ho, ho-ed" his way into their memories. "Santa" became a true neighbourhood fixture when walking Magnum, his sidekick basset hound, around the block - there was not one person who didn't know their names! When old St. Andrew's closed in 1990, Bill became a member of the Sturgeon Creek United Church, where his talents in maintenance and repair were always volunteered. Into Bill's retirement, Grandpa simply refused to grow "old". A member of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group and an honorary life member of the Antique Motorcycle Club of Manitoba (1990 to present), Dad remained the oldest licensed motorcyclist in Manitoba. A serious accident in 2009 while riding his cherished Hondamatic Windjammer did not deter: he took his last ride on his new Yamaha V-Star Lowrider last October. For those who knew him, Bill Watt was many things. Along with his piercing Scottish wit and highland sense of humour, he lived his entire life with the same spritely spirit that drove him along the many roads of his youth. Always a source of practical wisdom and technical know-how, he displayed his affection subtly but palpably for those who knew him best. He always offered a certain truth laden with substance, observations borne of experience, and perspectives carried on the back of life's lessons. A stubborn fighter to the end, he outlived the best prognosis of his final illness by over a year. On the occasion of his passing, he wanted his final send-off words to be remembered as "farewell ye brutes!" Truly, he will be missed. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Honorary pallbearers include: Harold McCort, Frankie Mancini, George Chapman, Lorenz Haalboom, Dave Pritchard, "Westbourne" Wally Fletcher, Tim Klassen, "Little" Joe Sawtus, and Valdo Vidovic. While some of these men were among his longest life companions, Dad told us that there were many, many others (and that you all know who you are)! The family wishes to thank Dr. Houston and the Palliative Team at CancerCare Manitoba and the Health Sciences Centre, and the staff of Riverview for their care of Dad in his final stage of life. In lieu of flowers, the family would encourage that a donation be made to The War Amps or Winnipeg Humane Society. Wojcik's Funeral Chapel, 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB in care of arrangements 204.897.4665. For those who wish to sign Wojcik's online Guest Book please visit our website at www.wojciksfuneralchapel.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2015