TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER

 ERNEST GEORGE DRAFFIN WATSON Ernie was born December 13, 1916 in Winnipeg, Man., Canada. Predeceased by his parents, Charles and Georgina (Draffin) Watson, two brothers and three sisters. His parents emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland and settled in Winnipeg. Educated in Winnipeg and McGill University, Ernie was employed by the City of Winnipeg Hydro for many years. He enlisted and served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1940 - 45, returning to Winnipeg in 1945, he met his future wife, Gladys Pope, whom he married in June, 1947. In 1955, they and their two small sons moved to the warm climate of Phoenix to benefit his arthritis. In recent years, they summered at their home in Sooke, Vancouver Island where they enjoyed sitting in their sunroom visiting with friendly neighbours, watching the moon rise over the Sooke hills and the sea gulls soaring over the harbour. He loved people, especially children, and was very fond of animals. He enjoyed dancing and music, especially the violin. Ernie will be remembered for his kind generous nature and quick wit. He was a longtime member of the Central United Methodist Church in Phoenix, Sons of Scotland, Canadian Legion and Kinsmen Club. Ernie passed away peacefully on November 24, 2000 in Phoenix after a valiant struggle with chronic illnesses. He is survived by his devoted wife Gladys; sons, Charles (Mary Ann) of Mesa, Arizona, and Gordon (Patty) of Sugar Land, Texas; four grandsons, Tim, Charles, Byron and Kevin; one granddaughter Nicole; great granddog Cleo; granddog Natty; nephew Al (Marian) Dickens of Winnipeg and their family; sister-in-law Florence (Bob) McFetridge of Sooke, B.C. and their family; numerous other relatives and friends in Canada, the United States, Scotland and England. Services will be held in Canada at a later date. Donations to the hospice of your choice would be appreciated. Another member of the "greatest generation" has left us but will live on in our fondest memories, for which we are grateful.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 09, 2000

Condolences & Memories (1 entries)

• When my father died I said that we had lost another member of the "greatest generation." My father served in the RCAF during WW2 from start to finish yet talked seldom about his service during my growing up. He was like that. He was humble and felt he had just done his duty for the country he truly loved. My brother and I grew up in a home with a mother and father who stayed married for over fifty years. I joke with friends and family that it was a living version of "Leave it to Beaver!" No swearing, lots of wit and humor, and an atmosphere of warmth and stability. I know how truly lucky I was to have grown up in a home with so many simple pleasures. My dad and mom gave my brother and I a solid foundation and example to try and live up to. If I even half leave their legacy I will be truly grateful. Charles and family in Mesa, Arizona. God bless you dad, mom, Canada, the United States and every one along the way.- Posted by: CHARLES ERNEST WATSON (SON) on: Dec 01, 2018