Thomas Watkins

Thomas William Watkins 1948-2011 Peacefully, in his 64th year, Tom left our world on July 8th at his cottage on his island as the sun was setting, the wind blowing through his hair, his family by his side and the sounds of his grandchildren's pitter-patter in the background. It was his wish to be at Gabella Island, Lake Rosseau, Muskoka for his final days and we feel blessed to have been able to make that happen. Tom left us with the grace, dignity and generosity that we all know were his trademarks. We will all miss him terribly. Tom had been diagnosed with cancer only five months earlier and he fought a very determined battle with integrity and courage, enjoying the things most important to him - his family- until the end. Tom was a family man who devoted his life to his much loved Mary Rose and their precious sons Andrew (Kendra) and Matthew and their adored grandchildren, Jackson Thomas and Chloe Mary. Tom's passion was sports which he excelled at while at Upper Canada College ('67) and of which he had encyclopedic knowledge. Coaching baseball and basketball was his way of giving back and he left his mark on many young "gentlemen". Tom requested that we thank his mother and father, Norma Esme Watkins (nee Sawyer) and Thomas James Watkins and his sisters Barbara Davis (Gordon) and Deborah Whitty (Michael) and Mary Rose, Andrew and Matthew for all that they have done for him. He leaves to grieve many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles, brothers-in-law and sisters- in-law and friends. A celebration of Tom's life was held at Gabella Island, one that he would have thoroughly enjoyed, with another to follow in Calgary, his home of twenty years, on Tuesday September 6th at 3pm at Silver Springs Golf and Country Club. If desired, donations may be made in his memory to the Calgary Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (www.calgarywildlife.org) at 11555 - 85th St NW, Calgary, AB, T3R 1J3 Messages of condolence may be left at www.reynoldsfuneral.com

Service Information

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 3:00pm, Silver Springs Golf and Country Club