Eric Watson
Our Eric passed from this world peacefully in the arms of his wife, daughter and step-daughter at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital. He had been cared for there for the past month by the wonderful staff of the An Cala Palliative Care Unit.
Eric was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1936. When he was 11 years of age, he immigrated to Africa with his family, where he raised his two beloved children, Susan-Anne and David Myles. He stayed there until 1977. Eric felt a great love and connection with Africa, the people and the wild life. He always considered it his real home until he found his "Love" in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Eric was a gentleman in every sense of the word. He was a fine man of great dignity who earned the respect and friendship of all who came to know him. He would always lend a helping hand to those who needed it and he truly wished the best for all his friends and family. Eric had a deep love and respect for nature and always enjoyed the outdoors and watching the wildlife. One of the highlights of his summer was the cottage at Orangedale, the beach at Lake Ainslie and watching the many birds, especially the hummingbirds which frequent there.
Eric was an avid traveler and traveled much of the world both with work and for pleasure. He worked for many airlines including East African, Air Malawi and Kuwait Airlines.
In later years, he shared his love of travel with his wife, Darlene.
Eric was an integral member of the Masonic lodge where he was twice Worshipful Master of MacKay Lodge #113, Sydney. He belonged to the Prince of Wales Chapter #10 and the Cape Breton Preceptory #43. He first began his devotion to Freemasonry in Blantyre, Africa in 1973 and continued in Bedfordshire, England before moving to Cape Breton.
Eric is predeceased by his parents, Phyllis Evelyn and Robert Watson. They are buried near Perth, Australia. He is also predeceased by two grandsons, Michael and James Watson, who died at birth.
He was also predeceased by his brother-in-law, Bill, Australia, in 2010.
Eric was a devoted husband, father, brother and grandfather and will be forever loved and held close in the hearts of his loving wife, Darlene; his beloved daughter, Susan-Anne; her husband, Marios and their children, Themis, Nicholas and Louisa (Cyprus); his son David; his wife Sharon and their daughter Alison (England); his step-daughter Christina, and her fiancé, Clinton and her stepson, Conor (England); his brother, Frank and his wife, Judith and their children, Michael, Jessica, Jenny and Ian (Australia) and his sister, Bobby and her children, Wendy, Glen, Kylene, Kim and Bianca (Australia).
Eric is also survived by his Canadian family, his mother-in-law, Margaret Ongo; brother-in-law, Keith, his wife, Melanie and their son, Greg; brother-in-law, Philip, his daughter, Rebecca and fiancé, Angie; his sister-in-law, Sandralee, her husband, Roger and their daughter, Chelsey.
A memorial service officiated by Rev. Donna Tourneur, will be held at Stewart United Church in Whycocomagh on Thursday, February 10, beginning at 2 p.m. with a Masonic Service.
Donations can be made in his memory to the An Cala Palliative Care Unit at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital or to Kenya Kesho, an organization to keep children in school in East Africa.
"And he will raise you up on eagles wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand."
"We will love you and miss you forever, our sweet Eric."
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sydneymemorialchapel.ca.
