James "Jim" Cameron Watson

Nov 6, 1926 – Mar 21, 2026

James (Jim) Watson passed away at Extendicare Peterborough Mar 21, 2026. He was 99.

Jim was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia Nov 6, 1926. He married the love of his life, Donna Spracklin Aug 19, 1950, and stood by her side faithfully until Donna’s passing in 2019. Jim is survived by his son, Bruce Watson (Peterborough), his daughter Diane and son-in-law Paul Pappas (Pickering) and his grandchildren Jon (St. Catharines) and Jennie (Hamilton). Jim was predeceased by his younger brother Bob (Halifax, 2018).

As a young man, Jim worked on the Canadian National Railway serving on troop trains, hospital trains and war bride trains between Halifax, Montreal, London and Vancouver. On July 18, 1945, he was on a train returning to Halifax, falling asleep just outside Truro, NS. He woke up expecting to be in Halifax only to discover his train had been diverted to safety. A fire at a munitions depot outside Halifax that stored sea mines, torpedo warheads and depth charges had resulted in massive explosions that lasted over 20 hours.

After graduating from business college, Jim enjoyed a successful career with Pilkington Glass followed by a career with Canadian Tire managing their Quinpool Road store until moving to Peterborough in 1975 to manage Peterborough’s original Canadian Tire store on Water Street until his retirement.

A skilled carpenter like his father, Jim was insanely handy and built his first travel trailer from a kit, igniting his passion for camping. In 1967, he took his little family of 4 on a 6-week epic adventure across Canada from Halifax to Vancouver towing a new and bigger trailer all the way and executing the trip perfectly without GPS. In his retirement years, Jim bought a large, beautiful, “fifth wheel” travel trailer and went “south” with Donna every winter from November to March. He was admired by fellow trailer haulers for his enviable expertise backing up his truck and big trailer expertly into any camping spot on the first attempt every time and without the aid of back up cameras or his wife.

Jim was a talented athlete. He played hockey, badminton, and tennis and was an avid golfer in his retirement. He and Donna also enjoyed many years square dancing – a hobby that allowed them to travel and perform across North America.

Together with Donna, Jim enjoyed many years as a member of the congregation of Northminster United Church where they both volunteered for coffee hours and other activities. Before his health and balance declined, Jim was often first to the church’s senior living parking lot after a winter storm clearing the cars of snow for his friends in the senior community and earning him the nickname “St. James”.

A true gentleman, Jim orchestrated life for his family with a quiet authority and endless wisdom. He planned for every life stage expertly and personally directed the transitions from home ownership to senior living. When Donna moved to Extendicare, his only desire was to be reunited with her there and live their final years together side by side.

A remarkable man with an enduring and honourable legacy, Jim will be missed dearly.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, April 7th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Comstock-Kaye Life Celebration Centre, 356 Rubidge St., Peterborough. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be directed to Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs matching hearing guide dogs to individuals in need.

www.dogguides.com 905-842-2891

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die”

- Thomas Campbell