Bruce was a Husband, Dad, Brother, Grandpa, and dearest friend. He and the other three “B’s” Bernie, Beverly, and Blayne, lived next door to the Simpsons / Robinsons and over the course of more than half a century became more than a Tower Drive neighbour.
We share our work and we share our play. We share our happiness and we share our sorrow. The saddest thing we share this day We will not have Bruce to share tomorrow.
Memories ensure our recollection We pick and choose from our life’s collection Every day for us was family day We held this thought in work and play
From cutting wood at Widdifield station To fishing salmon on the west coast of our nation Hunting moose in Boston Creek Or down to Turtle Lake for a week
We would sit and talk about simple things And never dwell on what tomorrow brings Tomorrow came and Bruce is gone But not from our hearts where he lives on.
Loyalty to his family and friends was extremely important to Bruce and we will remember Bruce as a true “giver“ of his time, his wealth of skills to help anyone in need, and his love of life. Ontario Northland Ambassador for 37 years retired Health and Safety Officer. Past master of the North Bay Masonic Lodge # 617 A.F. & A.M. Member of the Rorab Shrine Club Klown Unit. Volunteer at the Heritage Railway & Carousel. Member of the North Bay Cruisers Car Club.
“It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you, It’s what you leave behind you when you’re gone” – Randy Travis song……… “Never forget where you came from” – Bruce Watson
In honour of Bruce B. Watson our nearest and dearest friend forever; from Stan, Marlene, David, Lou-Anne, Mike, and Randy, the Simpson-Robinsons.
Honoured by their daughters – Brenda Morris, Laura White, Nancy Lamarche and Sherri White.
Bill and Barb White met at a teen town dance in North Bay in 1950.They were married on July 12, 1952.
The son and daughter of Percy and Violet White, and George and Aletha Davies respectively, Bill and Barb went on to raise a family of four daughters; Nancy, Brenda, Laura, and Sherri.
Bill was a true athlete, playing several sports including hockey, baseball, bowling and golf. He was most passionate about hockey which he also coached in the early 1960s on the outdoor rinks of West Ferris. A formidable center man, he played until he was 71, stopping only when his health would no longer permit. His love of the game spilled over to us and of course our children, some of them becoming players themselves! During family visits, we all enjoy hearing Dad’s stories about the early days of hockey in North Bay.
Bill was employed by Cochrane Dunlop Hardware for 33 years in the purchasing department and warehouse on Jet Avenue. He worked alongside three of his brothers (Tom, Cliff and Reg ), his cousin Gord, and many others who became life-long friends.
After leaving Cochrane Dunlop in 1989, Bill discovered a new interest for working with adults with special needs at Community Living’s Country Heritage Workshop. He went on to manage the ceramic “Gifts for You” shop on Main St. E. until he retired in 1992. He immediately went to work full time on his other hobby – his vegetable garden! Bill always tended to it with such care and love, taking pride in the yield of his work each fall and sharing it with his family and friends.
Barb was a devoted stay-at-home mother until all of the girls were full time students. It was then that she began to work, first at the newly opened Lee Jean factory in North Bay; second as a legal assistant to Roger Galipeau and finally as the secretary to the Medical Officer of Health at the North Bay and District Health Unit. Barb managed to balance the care of her home and children with working full time, and she made many friends along the way. It was during Barb’s working years that the family grew to include three son-in-laws, Conrad, Mark, and Dino, as well as eight grandchildren. Each grandchild received hand knit sweaters, bonnets, and booties from Barb. She could knit anything and enjoyed seeing her grandchildren dressed in her handiwork! Barb retired from the Health Unit in 1994 to a life of leisure enjoying her hobbies including baking with her grandchildren whenever possible, flower gardening and helping out her children in countless ways.
Summer holidays with Mom and Dad always involved spending time around water! They both loved to swim and were sure we all developed a great love of spending time on the many lakes around our area. We spent many years camping at Mikisew Campground in South River, as well as cottaging on Lake Nosbonsing and Lake Nipissing.
Bill and Barb are happiest in their home in Graniteville but have also ventured on several holidays to places they never dreamed they would go!
Before retiring they travelled to the East Coast of Canada, Florida, Las Vegas, and Branson, Missouri. Once retired, they took two trips to visit Brenda and her family in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland. While there they travelled to France and England, enjoying many special moments in Paris and London. They were ever so thankful to have been able to visit the gravesite of Bill’s brother Murray who was killed in the Second World War and laid to rest in Beny-Sur-Mer, France. In October 2010 Barb and Bill became great grandparents for the first time when Sage was born. This marked another very proud moment for both of them!
It is to honour their dedication to family that we purchased this pergola leaf for their 59th wedding anniversary. We are so thankful for the lessons they have taught us and for their never ending love and support.
On July 12, 2012 Bill and Barb celebrated 60 years of marriage with a surprise garden party attended by many friends and family members. After a full afternoon of visiting and being entertained by friends and family members, they enjoyed yet another swim together in the pool!
All of our Love to you both, Nancy, Brenda, Laura & Sherri XO, XO, XO, XO
Our Dad…our Hero…Cliff was married to Ruth McCullough for 50 years and they had four children: Tammy, Terri, Tim and Tom. Our Dad was a firefighter with the North Bay Fire Dept. and Captain prior to his retirement in 1991. Dad passed on to us (as well as his Grandchildren) a well rounded love of many things that are still dear to all of us.
Hockey was a big part of his life as a boy and he was so proud to watch his sons and grandsons (Andrew, Pat, Adam and Owen) continue with his passion. Grampa was also known to attend dance and piano recitals as well to watch his Grandaughter Heather. The newest additons to our families would also be a glow in Grampa’s eyes had he been here to greet them.
Country music was another memory we all grew up with in the Watkins’ household. Johnny Cash, George Straight and Irwin Prescott. Country music has changed but his oldest grandchildren cant’ get enough of the “New Country” and we’re sure Grampa Cliff would approve.
Cliff’s most cherished sidekick besides his wife Ruth was their Yorkie Terrier named “Presley”….all of the neighbours in the High Street area always watched for his scooter with Presley in his basket. Unfortunately Presley passed away nine months after his master and we are pretty sure that Dad and Presley have reunited once again as a duo and are keeping an eye over all of us.
Dad would be happy to know that a leaf in his memory has been incorporated into the new Waterfront Pergola as a reminder to all how much he loved North Bay ( he was born and raised here). Memories cannot be taken away and we all carry so many wonderful ones with us every day. Dad has found “The Green Green Grass of Home” and we know he is still cheering for “His Team” the Toronto Maple Leafs.
