ASGCA Past President John Watson died April 16 at age 80. Watson, a former member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, followed his father, Howard, into golf course architecture. The pair are one of the few father-son ASGCA Past Presidents.
The obituary for John Watson as printed in the “Montreal Gazette” follows:
WATSON, John (Whipper)
Passed away peacefully in Lachute, Quebec on April 16, 2014 at the age of eighty. He leaves behind his wife, Shirley; son, Mark (Aimee Ryan); daughter-in-law, Laurie Cruise (Bill Holley); and grandchildren, Kathleen, Tyler and Ryan. He was predeceased by his son, Scott; and his parents, Howard and Betty Watson. Born on June 27, 1933, John grew up in the Toronto/Guelph area until he joined the RCAF in 1959. He spent some time in Cold Lake, Alberta for flight training and was then sent to Florida and Ascension Island to chase rockets.
At Cape Canaveral, John flew jets and played golf with the original Mercury astronauts. During this time he met the love of his life, Shirley. They married in 1963 and after time spent in London, Windsor and Ohio, they moved to Lachute where John became a golf course architect. John was a special character who was always full of stories and willing to debate any subject. He will be dearly missed. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, April 21, 2014 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the J.P.
MacKimmie Funeral Home, 660 rue Principale, Lachute, QC. Visitation from 1 p.m. until time of Service. A Reception will be held immediately following the Service at the Lachute Legion, Branch 70, 634 rue Lafleur, Lachute, QC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 70, 634 rue Lafleur, Lachute, QC. J8H 1R8, (450)562-2952 or to the Shriners’ Hospital for Children, 3350 Sources Rd., Dollard des Ormeaux, QC. H9B 1Z9.