Melvin Thomas Watts

Melvin Thomas Watts was born June 1, 1928, on Marble Hill in Port Hood, on a day his mother, the late Annie Bell (Fraser) and father, the late Ernest Smith Watts were planting their potato field. He passed away on December 20, 2015 with family at his side in his home on Marble Hill, overlooking the same field. Melvin and Marion (Morash) were joined in marriage on July 12, 1952 as husband and wife and best friends forever. Together they raised four children, daughter Brenda Van Der Beesen, Halifax; daughter Sandra Watts Wilson (Colin), Ferguson's Cove; Ernest (Kathie) Watts, Mount Uniacke; and Thomas (Pam) Watts, Fairview. Grandchildren Amanda LeBlanc (Chris), Courtney Van Der Beesen (Chris), Trystan James (Vanessa), Breton Wilson (Erica), Ashlee Watts, Nicholas Watts (Keri), Jarret Watts and Katelyn Watts and great grandchildren Ava, Zoe, Noah, Jacob and Jackson, will continue to cherish their memories of grandpa. Also left to grieve is his brother, Wilfred Watts, Halifax. He was predeceased by siblings, Clarence, Matilda Rhodenizer, Levi, and Mabel Pattison. After 43 years of loyal service to HMC Dockyard Halifax, he and Marion returned to Port Hood in 1990. The Congregation of St. Stephen's United Church nominated Melvin as Volunteer of the Year in 2007 in recognition of his dedicated volunteer work with the Church, "Melvin is a "behind the scenes" volunteer who notices work to be done and sees that it gets done; always willing to share his knowledge as well as his skills". Melvin was a great giver, a wise and caring soul, hard working to a fault, with a deep appreciation of the bounty to be garnered from his garden and fishing with those who called him Uncle Mel. Cremation has been entrusted to the Inverness Funeral Home. A service to honour Melvin will be held at St. Stephen's United Church, Port Hood, on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at 1:00 p.m., with reception to follow in church hall. No words can express our gratitude to the wonderful caregivers of the Inverness County Home Support Society, to those who rekindled dad's love for a good game of crib, the Continuing Care Nurses, and Lori Ann MacDonald for her unending compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory may be made to Central Inverness Palliative Care Society, St. Stephen's United Church Building Fund, or to a charity of your choice. On-line condolences may be made to www.invernessfuneralhome.com. Arrangements under the direction of Inverness Funeral Home, Inverness, NS.