Rev. Dr. Robert William Watson, Jr.

The Rev. Dr. Robert William Watson, Jr. died on August 9, 2021 at Covenant Village, Cromwell, CT.  He was born June 27, 1930 in Greenwich, Connecticut, the son of the late Jessie Pearl Fifield and Robert William Watson, Sr.

After graduation from Greenwich High School in 1948, Bob attended the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1956 with a BA in French.  Bob then entered Berkeley Divinity School in New Haven and received his Master of Divinity in 1957.  He earned his Doctorate of Divinity from St Mary Seminary at the University of Maryland in June 1986.

Father Bob was ordained a Deacon in the Episcopal Church in June 1956 and a Priest in January 1957 by Bishop Walter Henry Gray.  He first served as Vicar of St. Luke's Chapel and curate of St. John's Episcopal Church, Stamford, CT 1956 - 1957.

Father Bob then served as Rector of St. Mary's Episcopal Church, Hazardville, CT, 1958 - 1965 and Rector of Bishop Seabury Episcopal Church, Groton, CT 1965 - 1974, before becoming Rector of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, Linthicum, Maryland in 1974 until his retirement in 1995.

Father Bob was married to Georgia Elizabeth Cunningham on June 11, 1955 in Hartford, CT and he and Georgia moved back to CT at his retirement. 

While he was Rector of St. Christopher's Church in Linthicum, MD, Father Watson was able to built a much larger building and establish a columbarium on the property.  In CT be served for three years on the Staff of the Diocesan Camp and Conference Center and as a member of its Board of Managers.

In retirement, Father Watson served as part-time pastor of Emmanuel Parish, Weston;  St Stephen's Parish, East Haddam, Church of our Saviour, Plainville, and St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, East Berlin, from which he retired a second time at age 87. 

Throughout his lifetime, Father Bob was noted for his wit and in college earned the nickname "Witty Watty." 

His two hobbies were genealogy and travel.  He was a member of the Connecticut Genealogical Society and worked diligently for the last forty years or so tracing his family back to the 1500s. 

Father Bob enjoyed world travel, making many friends along the way, and attended many study programs in England as well as many cruises on European rivers.   France was one of his frequent destinations as he was fluent in the French language and loved using it.

Father Bob never had an unkind word for anyone; he always found the good in people.  A very fair-minded person, Bob was very caring and understanding in all relationships.  And he was a great dog lover having many interesting stories to tell of his own dogs through the years. 

Father Bob was dearly loved by his siblings and will be sorely missed by them.

Father Watson is survived by his sons Arthur R Watson (Ronda) Taylorsville, Kentucky and Matthew G Watson (Pam) of Anderson, Indiana, his brother Richard Watson (Priscilla) of Southbury, CT, his sisters, Margaret E Watson of Milford and the Rev. M Enid Watson of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, and granddaughter Emily Bishoff of Taylorsville, Kentucky, great grandson, Braylon Bishoff of Taylorsville, Kentucky, nephew Robert A Brown, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and several cousins.  He was also predeceased by his wife Georgia and son Edward F Watson.

The funeral will be held on Tuesday, August 17 at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, East Berlin, CT at 11:00 am.  Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Greenwich, CT. To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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