Eric Watson, passed away very peacefully last Sunday 17th July 2016 at 5.45pm aged 79, having suffered a stroke at home then being rushed into the Queen Alexandra Hospital the Wednesday prior. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the staff within that hospital they really did go beyond the call of duty (angels in uniforms) and made my father’s remaining hours very comfortable.
As many of you will know, my father was born and grew up in London marrying my loving mum Jean at an early age and eventually moving his family to the coast in the mid 70’s, Stephen, Debbie and I were in our teens at that time, so as you will understand we had mixed feelings about the move, but personally upon reflection this was one of the best things Jean and Eric ever did for me, I’m sure my wife Tracey would agree.
My father had some serious highs and some lows throughout his working career, which obviously impacted upon our lives, he certainly taught me at an early age to ‘Think & Thank’ these words still live with me every day.
Eric enjoyed laughter, smiling whenever he could, seeing the funny side, quick of the mark with his very good dry sense of humour and extremely generous with his care and thoughts to whoever he came into contact with, one of my most enjoyable examples that typifies his character was when he was doing his national service, he quickly got promoted within the RMP which meant a few quid more each week for him, Jean and his young family. One of his duties at the garrison was to look after a long term prisoner who was granted two days parole, my father got a call from the prisoner pleading to see if he could have one further night with his young wife and newly born, and my father immediately granted this unofficial extension. As a consequence my father was demoted, lost his stripes and had his weekly wage slightly reduced, sometimes a little too generous towards others for his own good.
Eric’s cremation is taking place at 11am on 3rd August at Chichester crematorium. Reynolds Funeral Directors have done a superb job, in organising this for us.
Eric’s place of final interment will eventually be at St Mary’s Church in Felpham Village which Eric loved so much.
Rest in peace
