Obituary of Robert Abner Watkins

Robert Abner (Bob) Watkins

1941 – 2024

Deer Lake, NL

The family of Bob Watkins announce his peaceful passing on Wednesday, January 17 under the brief but wonderful care of the Western Health Palliative Care team in Corner Brook.

Bob was born on April 2, 1941 in Deer Lake to Abner and Lovi Watkins and spent most of his life in Deer Lake, with short stints in Corner Brook and Labrador City working for City Motors.

Bob was known to many in Western Newfoundland from his 26 years managing Broadway Equipment in Deer Lake. He had mastered the art of repairing all sorts of small engines and was known far and wide as a talented mechanic. Over the years he repaired hundreds, if not thousands, of chain saws, lawn mowers, outboard motors, tillers and bikes. He had a strong work ethic and an unusual determination to solve problems. He never met a broken-down engine he couldn’t diagnose. Bob treasured the friendships of his customers and all his memories of working there. In particular, he appreciated the confidence that Freeman Bolt and Noel Humphreys had in him and the high regard in which they held him.

After his time at Broadway Equipment, Bob spent years working in general construction. Anyone who has every worked with Bob will know that his character exuded that of “the boss”, whether or not he was the boss at the time.

Outside of work, Bob loved moose hunting, salmon and trout fishing and spending time at the family cabin at Sandy Lake. Hundreds of cherished weekends were spent there with his family.

Bob was, first and foremost, a family man. He was devoted to his wife, Joan (nee Parsons), of nearly 59 years, and their four children, Barbara (Vernon) Hodder, Paul (Shae) Watkins, Karen (Stuart) Pratt and Elaine (Jason) Woolridge. He adored his grandchildren, Andy (Chantelle) and Robby Hodder, Scott, Chelsea, Danny and Kyle Watkins, Sammy Pratt and Sophie Woolridge and his great-grandchildren, Ava and Aria Hodder and Parker Watkins along with his numerous nieces and nephews. He loved his son, Dean Pittman, who lives with his family in Calgary, AB and always enjoyed his visits.

Bob leaves behind brothers, Walter (Deer Lake Manor) and Ross (Greta) Watkins, special niece, Heather Watkins, and sisters, Joyce (Terry) Burridge in Bay Roberts and Doris (Art) Badcock in British Columbia.

Parsons family in-laws left behind include Randy, Wayne (Agnes), Fred (Christine), Robert (Minnie), Audrey (Glenn) Crew, Violet (Willis) Luff, Joyce (Carl) Robinson, Gayle (Manuel) Campbell, Joy (Leonard) Roberts, Francis Budgell, Edgar Caines and Ada Parsons.

Bob is pre-deceased by his parents, Abner and Lovi, his sisters, Elvie Porter Manuel, Pheobe Roberts Young and Barbara Watkins (died 1957), and his in-laws, Gordon Sr and Dorothy Parsons, Dorothy Caines, Lillian and Thomas Pearce, Penny Budgell and Gordon Parsons Jr.

The family would like to thank Dr Keilty Jr for his generosity and compassion during Bob’s illness and the nurses at Western Health in Deer Lake for their continuous support and kindness.

A visitation for family and friends will be held at Fillatre’s Funeral Home, 10 Clinic Drive, Deer Lake on Friday, January 19 2024 from the hours of 7 to 9 pm, where also the funeral service will take place on Saturday, January 20, 2024 beginning at 2pm.

 When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little – but not too long,

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love

that we once shared.

Miss me but let me go.

For this is a journey

that we all must take,

And each must go alone.

It’s all part of the Master plan,

A step on the road to home.

Miss me – but let me go.