Obituary of Robert Watts

The family of Robert Byron Watts are saddened to announce his peaceful passing at the Arnprior Regional Hospital on May 3^rd, 2024, at the age of 94 yrs. 

He is survived by his wife of 36 years Beverly Joan (Bennett/Carroll), his sister Doreen (Bert Larocque),  his daughter Debbie (Dan Cote)  his son David (Marilyn), his step children, Deborah, Bill and Todd Carroll, grandchildren Catherine Watts (Nick), Andrew, Sarah (Geoff) and Emily Burnett, Melissa (Scott Appleyard), William Carroll,  great grandchildren, Avery, Lauren and Dominic, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by his first love Fern Shirley (Dodds) his son, Douglas Robert, grandson Douglas Robert Cyril , brothers Charles (Mary), Donald (Anne) and Fairbairn (Audrey).

Dad married his High School Sweetheart, Fern Shirley Dodds and they raised three children, David, Debbie and Douglas.  They shared a beautiful partnership, enjoying their summers at the cottage but their romance was cut short, when  Fern lost her long battle with cancer at the young age of 53, leaving Dad alone and  completely devastated, until he found a second love with Beverly Joan Carroll.  Joan and Dad remained together until Joan's declining health, necessitated her transfer to a care home in Arnprior, where he remained, loving, visiting and taking care of her every need. 

Dad was born in the family farmhouse in Mountain Township and like his brother Charlie, left for Calgary with his eldest brother Fairburn, to work the farms in the Harvest Excursion Program, returning home to finish Grade 13.  It was there, after being away for the Fall semester and part of the Winter semester, that he met Fern, a mighty little auburn haired junior with a dead aim, who took a fancy to him in the stairwell of the high school and shot an erasure straight to the side of his head.  He turned to see who had just assaulted him and there she was, smiling at this tall young man a half flight below her.  From that day on, they were each other's person.  After graduation, he and Fern were married in Almonte and the newlyweds moved to Montreal, where Dad began his career with the Royal Bank, traveling all over Canada performing audits, until he tired of the constant traveling and began his employ with Simpsons Sears, where he worked in Thunder Bay and Ottawa.  He eventually made his way to the Federal Government, working in Indian Affairs and Taxation, before finishing his career at the Department of National Defense, working under General Rick Hillier, which he said was his best job ever.

Dad retired in the mid-nineties and continued to make memories with Joan, visiting places like Hawaii, Jamaica, Scotland and Ireland, to name a few.  He cherished his long friendships with Dick and Richard and the three met weekly in Kanata to share a coffee and a few laughs.  Dad looked forward to his yearly visits to the Main Street Pub and was a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs Fan, who said he wanted to see them win one more Stanley Cup, before he died. Dad and Joan's final years together, were spent at Islandview Retirement Home in Arnprior, Ontario.  Our thanks to the Islandview staff, for making their residency comfortable.

Our family also wishes to acknowledge the many Doctors, Nurses, Social workers and medical staff at Arnprior Regional Health, for their tireless efforts to assist and make Dad comfortable in his final days.  You will remain in our hearts forever.

A Memorial gathering for family and friends, will be held on Monday, May 13th, at 1:00 pm at the Cole Funeral Home and Highland Park Cemetery, 2037 McGee Side Road in Carp, Ontario and the family invites you to attend, share some warmhearted stories and stay for a reception with the family. 

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers to the Brain Tumour Foundation or the Alzheimers Society of Canada,  would be appreciated.