Robert Raymond George Watson

WATSON - Robert Raymond George “Bob”

1933-2022

It is with great sadness that Bob’s family announce his passing on the evening of June 26, 2022 at the Maple Creek hospital, at the age of 88 years. Born the 9th of 12 children, Bob arrived on September 12th, 1933, to parents Thomas and Vestal Watson of Vidora, SK. A busy household indeed, with lots of love and long days, the Watson family continued to grow. Life on the Saskatchewan prairie was never easy in those days, times were tough, and the depression brought a lot of hardships for many in the area; Bob’s mother, Vestal, sadly passed away in the Winter of 1937 followed by Bob’s father, Thomas, only a few short years later in the Fall of 1940.

The Watson children found themselves orphaned very early in life; as they say, it truly does take a village to raise a child and so the the family was looked after by aunts, uncles and friends in the community along with the older children who were left to raise and support their younger siblings; they kept busy doing what they could to help earn money and support each other through school. Bob and his siblings were very close from a young age and those bonds continued throughout the course of their lives.

In his early years Bob was an avid hockey player continuing to enjoy the sport well into his 60’s. One of his first jobs as a teenager was stacking pins at a bowling alley while staying with his sister in Trail, BC.

Bob earned money by working for local ranchers and was a P.F.R.A. pasture helper. He met his soon-to-be-wife, Millie, at a dance in Vidora, but they knew each other's families from around the area well before that time. Bob came to work for Millie as a farm hand in the Fall of 1956, following the death of her husband. Millie had her hands full raising 3 little boys on top of running the family farm. Not long after, they fell in love and were engaged on Nov 10, 1957. During the chill of the same winter, they were wed on Dec 30th, 1957 in Havre Montana; they celebrated their nuptials with their family and friends a few days later with a dinner and dance at the Vidora Community Hall on January 3rd. In the hot summer that followed, Bob and Millie welcomed baby Dwaine in late August of 1958. A few years later in February of 1963 they completed their family with the arrival of baby Warren.

Through thick and thin, Bob and Millie continued to farm south of Consul for many years, welcoming the arrival of many healthy grandchildren. Their home was always open to friends and family, with plenty of dinners and coffee times enjoyed by all. Grandpa Bob could always be seen in the fields with a grandchild in tow, co-piloting the tractor, he never failed to miss a coffee time or get in a couple hands of Consul Rummy and Cribbage while enjoying Millie’s baked goods. Bob loved to farm, help Millie in the garden, looking after his chickens, and made many trips up and down the stairs to get preserves from the pantry. He passed on his love of cards and taught all his grandchildren how to play Cribbage, there was an unspoken rule that a game or two of cards was mandatory when visiting. Whether you won or lost the game, in his way, he taught us to be gracious in accepting the outcome of the cards we were dealt.

Bob was an active member of the Masonic Lodge, Maple Leaf no. 9, Royal Arch Masons, Chapter no. 26 as well as the Cypress Shrine Club, marching with the Saber Patrol at many parades over the years. He dedicated many hours to the Masonic Order and their many fundraising endeavors.

They retired to Maple Creek after selling the farm in 1999, retirement kept them on their toes with the hosting of many more parties and family gatherings.  Even though they downsized a whole farm, Bob still was fated to make many more trips down to the cellar for grandma, until they moved into their condo in 2007. Where they lived another 10 years, enjoying music at the park and were active in the Maple Creek United Church.

Bob treasured Millie right up until she passed away in 2017, making his way over to see her every day in the care home, he never missed a visit. He was devastated when she passed away. Moving into the senior’s lodge gave Bob some new friends and a little excitement in his life. His good friend John drove him around to all his family events and helped to look after things he needed around the house. We could all hope to have that good of a friend and we are all grateful to John for his kindness and friendship to Bob.

A man dedicated to helping others, Bob loved his community here in Maple Creek. He was never a boastful man, quietly helping with Meals on Wheels and offering a helping hand at any function he was able to attend. A true family man and hard worker, he was an attentive husband, supportive brother and father, loving grandfather and great-grandfather; Bob is a soul that will be sorely missed by all.  

Bob was predeceased by his wife of 60 years Mildred Watson in 2017; his son Dwaine in 2021; his parents Thomas and Vestal; his step-sons Donald and Gerald Swift; sisters Dora, Florence, Marion, Bernell, Olive and Betty; brother Gordon and 3 baby siblings.

Bob is survived by his sister Ruth Lewis; brother Edward Watson; sister in-law Agnes Watson; sons Warren Watson and Glen Swift; grandchildren Jody McGuire, Robbie Watson, Valeri Watson, Jessica Watson (Gust), Jeffrey Watson; great-grandchildren Aiden and Ian McGuire, Jarren and Vance Watson, Eric Gust and Audrey May and their spouses and extended families.

We love you Dad, as hard as it is to see you go, we are comforted to know you have been reunited with Mom and all those gone before. It’s not goodbye, only ‘see you later’.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s name can be made Southwest Healthcare Trust Fund

c/o Cypress Credit Union, Maple Creek SK S0N 1N0

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