John Smith Watts, Liverpool and Dartmouth.
Son, brother, uncle, friend, soldier, basketball coach, and referee, sports fisherman, golfer, avid collector of jokers, drafting technician, chef and proud father of his daughter Kathy.
John passed away on May 2, 2011
John was born in Pictou, NS in 1941, the son of Mary Natalie (DeCoste) Watts and William Nathaniel Smith Watts. His father was sent overseas as Regimental Sergeant Major of the North Nova Scotia Regiment shortly after John was born. John spent his early years with his mother, sister and grandparents in Pictou.
John was five when the family moved to Liverpool after the war. Upon completion of high school in Liverpool he attended the Saint John Technical Institute in Saint John, NB, graduating as a drafting technician. He returned to Liverpool to work at Steel and Engine Products Limited.
John joined the 133rd Battery, 14th Field Regiment Militia (Artillery) in 1963 as a 2/Lt and at the time of the Battery’s dissolution in late 1969 had been awarded the rank of Captain. A member of Somme Branch, Canadian Legion in Dartmouth, John was an accomplished pool player and leaves behind many friends and good times.
Always an avid follower of basketball, John coached men’s teams in Liverpool in the 1960s and 1970s. His teams won several Nova Scotia Championships, culminating in a Maritime Intermediate B Crown in 1973 and that team has been inducted in the Queens County Sports Hall of Fame. John was also a stand-out basketball referee in the same timeframe.
John decided on a career change in 1985 and attended the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology in Halifax to study to be a chef. After graduation he worked for some time at White Point Beach Lodge, later moving to Dartmouth where he was chef in the Keddy’s Motel Chain and at the Apple Barrel Restaurant in Halifax.
He is survived by his life partner, Carol Anne Hatt of Liverpool, his daughter Katherine Angela (Wayne Warrington) Watts of Dartmouth, his sister Sally Ann (Maurice) Lloyd of Dartmouth, his niece Moira (Scott) Fry, his nephew Charles (Georgia) Lloyd and his three grand nieces and two grand nephews, all of Dartmouth. He will also be missed by Carol Anne’s children Lisa (Greg) Killam and Shane (Holly) Hatt of Liverpool. He was predeceased by his father and mother.
A Celebration of John’s life will be held Friday, May 6th, 2011, at 3:00 P.M., from St. Gregory’s Catholic Church, Liverpool. Father Brian Murphy officiating. Family flowers only, a donation may be made to the Junior Diabetic Research Foundation or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.chandlersfuneral.com or via e-mail to carolannehatt@msn.com, kathywatts123@eastlink.ca, or sallyl@atlanplan.com
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Barry&Connie Cole
Carol Anne our deepest Sympathy is with you at this difficult time, keep all of your good memories of John with you always
Barry & Connie Cole
Deb Sponagle-Taylor
Carol Ann ,Katherine ,Sally Ann and all of John’s Family ,I was so shocked hearing this news. Ken and Janie are away ,I left a message for him. I have so many fond memories of John as he spent so much time in our home when I was growing up. I am thankful to have run into you both last Summer and I got to give John a hug. A fine person ,a fun Person and a darn good person. Quick to smile . My heart goes out to you Carol Ann, you were a blessing for him and he for you . May you keep him in your heart and mind and find some smiles in days to come, just thinking of this wonderful soul.
God Bless and keep you all strong.
Deb Sponagle
Walter& Sherri
Carol Ann &family/Sally & family:
We are so sorry to hear of John’s passing,Condolences to the family
.Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time.Just remember all the good times that you had and it will help get you through the coming days.
Walter/Sherri Wigglesworth)Miller
Jim & Bette Ann Wigglesworth
We are both so saddened to hear of John’s passing. Both Jim and John had so many great times together during their early years in High School and then with their love of basketball..great memories. Our thoughts are with all of you as you face the days ahead and we want you , the family to know how much you are being thought about.
This is not an easy time for anyone and especially for John as he moved into the final moments of his life. Caring thoughts from both of us.
Stephanie Miller
Kathy,
I’m so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing.
I have many wonderful memories of your father in the kitchen at WP, how he kept us all focused and moving forward. How he’d stick his head out the kitchen door to check on Nickel to see that she had water in her bowl.
Thoughts are with you….I wish they alone could heal your hurt.
Stephanie
Pam Miles
Carol Anne, I was so saddened to know that John had passed. My heart goes out to you and Johns family. I have such good memories of us from years ago; it seems like yesterday. God Bless.
marilyn ellison
Kathy, so sorry for your loss. Keep you chin up and know he is in the best of hands now. your friend marilyn.
Bette Fannon
Hi Kathy – sorry to hear about your Dad….. may good memories help you through this time…. thinking of you.. Bette
Doris Jessome
Kathy – I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My sympathies and prayers are with you during this sad time.
Don Brown
Kathy & family:
I was saddened to hear of your father’s passing. There are never “right” things to say at a time like this, but do try to recall all the good stuff, the things that will make you smile and laugh, because those are the things that make us live and honour our ancestors.(And after many years of working together, Kathy, I figure your Dad must have given you some of his best assets…….he must be proud of his daughter!)
Don
Jewel and Dave Wilson
Carol Anne and family
Our thoughts are with you through this difficult time.I am so glad you were with him to share both good moments and rough moments towards the end. Just remember he is in a better place now with no more suffering. I am sure you will remember all the good times you shared,you are such a loving and caring person Carol Anne. Our prayers are with you.
Sincerely yours. Jewel(Julie Chandler) and Dave Wilson
Marg Warren
Kathy, I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your father. My thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
Sincerely
Marg
St. John’s Office
Lorraine Dalby
So sorry for the loss of John, He will have no more pain
mike turner
His friends will remember and miss him , John and I had some great times together from basketball to a trip out west , he was a great guy.
donald and mary atkinson
our deepest sympathy.
Karen[ Weagle] George
Kathy and family, so very sorry to hear of your dads passing.I have a lot of fond memories working with John at various restaruants.He always had a great joke or story to tell and always made me laugh.I remember watching him in awe as he showed us his skills on the pool table when we were all just young teens,down in your basement on waterloo.I love the game to this day.He loved you so much and was so proud to call you his little girl.He was a great person and friend to many. I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. Please take comfort in knowing, that you were the twinkle in his eye. God Bless, love K
Christa (Matthew) Tynes
Carol Anne, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. John was a wonderful man….I truely enjoyed the time I spent working with him at the Apple Barrell; he always had a wonderful spirit.
Kathy, although I have never had the opportunity to meet you, your father spoke of you often and I know you were his greatest pride.
I hope that you are all able to lean on each other and that fond memories help get you through this difficult time.
Sending love to you all,
Christa (Matthew) Tynes
Leo& Marilyn Langevin
Carol Anne, Kathy & family,We are so sorry to hear of John’s passing.Leo and I have spent many new Years together with John and he certainly will be missed in our circle of friends.we are in ontario at the moment and will be unable to attend the service, but our thoughts will be with you,he was certainly lucky to have you by his side Carol Anne.Cheryl & Paul also send their regards.
Amy Pelly
My thoughts and prayers are with John and all who loved him.
Jackie Kidd
Kathy and Family,
Kathy, I am very sorry to learn of your father’s passing. A celebration of life is a wonderful occasion when family and friends recall their happiest and fondest memories. Nothing will ever ease the pain of losing your dad, but do try to take the opportunity to embrace the warm affection and strength offered by family and friends.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.
Jackie
Watson Inglis
I was very sorry to hear from Jim Hunt that John had passed away.
I came late to the pool games but ended up taking the table home to Pictou.
It went back to Liverpool eventually but I will always remember those times fondly.
Smooth sailing John
philip & Rose Decker
Dear Carol Anne and all John’s family
So sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a long time friend and he will be missed by all who’s lives he touched. He was so lucky , Carol Anne to have you in his life at this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Philip & Rose Decker
Gary and Donna Jollimore
We send our sympathy in the passing of John. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Keep all your memories close to give you comfort.
Michele (Smith) Richards
Kathy.. My sympathy is extended to you and your family. I remember your Dad as a great guy & Dad. I hope the support and prayers of your friends and family are able to help you through this difficult time. Thinking of you.
Karla(Weagle)Colp
Kathy , sorry to hear of your loss and know you have the thoughs and support of many friends and family to guide you through this time of need. I remember your dad as a very caring man and how proud he was of you. I as well as my sister have fond memories of us kids around that pool table being coached by the master….he had so much love for you and happily extended that to all on every visit. I’ll bet he secretly use the art of the game to keeps us all in a safe and secure place and we just though we were cool! Cherish the abundance of memories you have, they will help keep you strong.
Peggy Kelley
My thoughts and prayers are with you all in your time of sorrow.
Tricia Lundrigan
I am so sorry to learn of John’s passing. My family certainly has very fond memories of John and I send my most heart felt condolences.
Michael Shot
Dear Kathy and Bea; We were just informed of John’s passing today and want to send our condolences. John became a very good friend after I met him through Dave Arthurs in the late 60’s. After I moved to B.C. we enjoyed many summers back in Liverpool and always knew there would be delicious meals and lots of laughs courtesy of John. He was one of a kind and always a joker – he will be missed and our thoughts are with you.
Mike and Lauretta