JOHN WATSON

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JOHN WATSON Peacefully on October 9, 2004, in the company of his beloved wife, Patricia (Mary) and many of his children and grandchildren. John was born in Blackpool, England on July 5, 1921. He served with the RAF during the Second World War. From 1942-44 he was stationed in Western Canada training pilots for the RAF. It was here that he met Patricia. He returned to England in 1944, serving Bomber Command in Europe until the end of the war. They were married in England in 1945 and returned to Winnipeg, MB in 1947. Johns early occupation was in banking and then the British Trade Commissioners Office, but he spent most of his career travelling the roads of Western Canada in the textiles business. He was a sports enthusiast who was actively involved in cricket and table tennis, where he played in the top levels for several years, winning the Manitoba doubles championship and reaching the singles finals on several occasions. Johns true passion blossomed upon his retirement. He transformed a life long love of music into a full-time singing career with the Winnipeg Male Chorus, the Winnipeg Seniors Choir, a small barbershop group and the church choirs at St. Mary Magdalene and then St. Bartholomews. In 1997 he joined the choir of St. John the Divine in Maple Ridge, BC, where he also sang with Maple Ridge Chor-Fest, and the Maple Ridge Choral Society. In 1999, after moving to Aurora, ON, he joined the York Regional Police Choir, and sang with the choir of Trinity Anglican Church. John is survived by his wife Patricia (Mary), his children Sheila and Michael Barta, Catherine and Donald Vincent, Michael and Janet Watson, Elizabeth, Barbara, and Jennifer and Michael Sorobey; thirteen grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Tuesday, October 12 at 10:00 a.m. at Trinity Anglican Church, 79 Victoria St., Aurora. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation, in Newmarket, or Trinity Anglican Church Rectors Discretionary Fund. Arrangements entrusted to the Thompson Funeral Home, (905) 727-5421.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 13, 2004