CLYDE ALVIN (AL) WATSON

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CLYDE ALVIN (AL) WATSON Peacefully, on January 11, 2000 at the Health Sciences Centre after a long and courageous battle with diabetes, beloved husband, son, dad and grandpa, Al Watson, aged 61. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 34 years, Lydia; his loving mother, Angela Watson; mother-in-law Josephine Krizak and dearly cherished children, Kim (Ian Fleetwood) of Calgary, AB, Chris (Jennifer Jones, with grandsons, Matthew and Andrew) of Barrhead, AB, Patrick (Lauri-Anne, with granddaughter Mary) of Swan River, MB and Bryan of Winnipeg. Born on October 14, 1938 in Winnipeg, Al spent his childhood here and graduated Kelvin Collegiate. He later attended the University of Manitoba Faculty of Education, where he met life-long friend Al Curtis. Upon receiving his degree, he proceeded to Flin Flon, MB to begin a dedicated career. It was there he met his wife, Lydia, also a teacher. The couple later moved to the St. James area of Winnipeg, which became their home for many years. Al worked for the St. James-Assiniboia School Division and primarily taught Biology and Sciences at Westwood Collegiate, Sturgeon Creek Collegiate and John Taylor Collegiate. There he was involved in developing the high school curriculum and in many extra-curricular activities including trips to California with students and high school hockey. Als values of honesty, integrity and hard work were evident to all those who knew him. Taking great pride in his career, Al coauthored several books and field guides with close friend Ron Phillips. In the preface to one of those books, it was written "How we live and die should not be such a well kept secret. The more we know about the miracle of life, the more we will appreciate our own life, and other human and non-human life." Al devoted a significant amount of time to minor league sports including hockey, baseball and soccer. He not only positively reinforced his childrens efforts, but encouraged the other students and players he worked with. He was a spark-plug for the family. He loved to organize family gatherings and will be fondly remembered for his "Spin-the-Wheel" casino and white cowboy hat. Al had a great sense of humour. He loved to send home-made trophies, gag gifts and funny e-mail to family and friends. Integrating his instincts as a teacher, his knowledge of biology and medicine, his love of fun and games and his familiarity with computers, Al spent the last years of his life developing a board game in which players must find their way out of a hospital by answering medical trivia questions. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 13 at John XXIII Roman Catholic Church (Assiniboia Christian Centre, 3390 Portage Avenue) with Msgr. N. Chartrand officiating. Cremation to follow. Pallbearers will be Alan Curtis, Dorland Borys, Jim Fielding, Don Fleetwood, Chris Betker, and Allan Kaufmann. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Manitoba Transplant Program Trust Fund, Room GE-441, 820 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3A 1R9, as Al received such great benefit from his kidney transplant. Warm and sincere thanks are extended to the staff of the Health Sciences Centre for the dedication and compassionate care Al received throughout the course of his illness and during his recent hospitalization. In particular, the family acknowledges the efforts of Drs. Rush, Jeffery, and Embil as well as Larry Lasson (Rehab Engineering), the kidney transplant clinic nurses, Dr. Tony Herd, Drs. Bshouty and Loiselle (MICU) and the nurses of MICU for their patience, understanding, compassion and skill. For his achievements, humour, integrity and love, Al will be sadly missed by those whose lives he touched. God has you in His keeping. We have you in our hearts. Arrangements entrusted to: CHAPEL LAWN FUNERAL HOME CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 13, 2000