Edward R. Watson
Aug. 24,1922 - June 5, 2020
Ed Watson grew up in Salem, Mass., during the Great Depression. The suffering he witnessed at that time shaped forever the compassion that Ed felt for others throughout his life. Ed died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 97.
During World War II, Ed was a chief airplane mechanic in the Army Air Corps. He was last stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
Ed was preceded in death by his first wife Christine; three of their sons: Robert, Glenn and David; and by his second wife, Darlene (Dolly). He is survived by his remaining son John; multiple grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and stepchildren, Pamela Ross and Brad Mehring.
In business, Ed owned a monument company and operated two cemeteries in Georgia and Alabama. Among his passions were golf, tennis, skiing and boating. While living in St. Petersburg, Fla., he was commodore at the Island Estates Yacht Club. His love of travel took him to many countries, including a safari in Africa, and on multiple cruises with Carolyn Hunter, his beloved partner in the last 14 years of his life.
Ed was an artist who sold and generously gave many of his paintings to family and friends. Ed was especially passionate about playing the harmonica. He was a member of the Front Porch Pickers, the Banjo Buddies and a harmonica music group that performed every Monday at Sun Towers retirement home.
The sweet sounds of Ed’s harmonica will live forever in the hearts of those who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to LifePath Hospice in Sun City Center, Fla.
Ed Watson grew up in Salem, Mass., during the Great Depression. The suffering he witnessed at that time shaped forever the compassion that Ed felt for others throughout his life. Ed died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 97.
During World War II, Ed was a chief airplane mechanic in the Army Air Corps. He was last stationed in Okinawa, Japan.
Ed was preceded in death by his first wife Christine; three of their sons: Robert, Glenn and David; and by his second wife, Darlene (Dolly). He is survived by his remaining son John; multiple grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and stepchildren, Pamela Ross and Brad Mehring.
In business, Ed owned a monument company and operated two cemeteries in Georgia and Alabama. Among his passions were golf, tennis, skiing and boating. While living in St. Petersburg, Fla., he was commodore at the Island Estates Yacht Club. His love of travel took him to many countries, including a safari in Africa, and on multiple cruises with Carolyn Hunter, his beloved partner in the last 14 years of his life.
Ed was an artist who sold and generously gave many of his paintings to family and friends. Ed was especially passionate about playing the harmonica. He was a member of the Front Porch Pickers, the Banjo Buddies and a harmonica music group that performed every Monday at Sun Towers retirement home.
The sweet sounds of Ed’s harmonica will live forever in the hearts of those who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to LifePath Hospice in Sun City Center, Fla.