Harry M. Watson Jr.

Harry M Watson Jr of Vestal, NY passed away on 19 March, two days after his 91st birthday. His wife of more than 70 years, Connie, was at his side at Mercy House. Together they lived a joy-filled and blessed life.

Harry was predeceased by his loving parents, Harry and Margaret, his sister Roseanne, and his granddaughter, Lacey Jane.

Harry leaves behind numerous cousins, nephews and nieces with who he made great memories with in Scranton, Lake Carey, the Triple Cities and Florida. Their loving support will continue to sustain Connie during her need.

Harry was born on St. Patrick’s Day 1935 in Scranton, PA, where he attended grade school and graduated from Scranton Central HS, and remembered as a basketball star. Most importantly, it is where he met and began his life-long romance with Connie.

Harry briefly attended East Stroudsburg University on a basketball scholarship, before enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1955. He was a proud Veteran, honorably discharged in 1959, having attained the rank of Airman 1st Class.

Upon discharge at Pope Air Force Base NC, Harry, Connie and their growing family moved back to Scranton where he worked, while simultaneously attending classes at The University of Scranton, graduating with a BS degree in 1961. His education continued throughout his adult years attending advanced degree courses at Marywood, Plattsburgh, and Syracuse universities, which buttressed the various jobs he undertook.

After graduating from college Harry began his career in the field of Education. Initially hired as a teacher for business courses at Binghamton North HS, he relocated the family from Scranton to Vestal, NY, where all five sons graduated high school. Subsequent positions in Education Administration included:

Auditor at Binghamton Schools;

Assistant Superintendent Dryden School District; and Business Administrator for the Union-Endicott school system, retiring in 1995.

Harry and Connie loved the retirement life, golfing with treasured friends in clubs throughout the Triple Cities, as well as at their winter rental residence in New Smyrna Beach, FL.

Harry and Connie were married in May 1955. Their union yielded five sons and five wonderful daughters-in-law: Dave and Donna of Seattle, WA; Drew and Becky of Greenville, SC; Dan and Mary of Danbury, CT; Darren and Jackie of Vestal, NY; and, Dustin and Jolanta, of Washington, DC. Harry was immensely proud of all them and the spectacular grandchildren they brought into his life: Brooke, Melissa, Amy, Tug, Erin, Lacey, Ryan, Kimber, Kelsey, Mackenzie, Carter, Maksym, and Jack. His grandchildren brought additional joy into his life with great-grandchildren Emily, Ashley, Mahayla, Logan, Matthew, Grant, Bradon, Hazel, Blake and Woody.

In lieu of flowers, Connie asks that consideration for donations be given to Mercy House of the Southern Tier in Endicott, NY and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 E. Main St., Endicott, NY on Wednesday, March 25 from 5-7 pm. A funeral mass will be held at 10 am on Thursday, March 26 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 801 Main St, Vestal, NY 13850.