- Date Of Birth: July 30, 1929
- Date Of Death: February 9, 2010
- State: Connecticut
Robert S. Watson, Sr. (Pop), 80, of Plainville, beloved husband of Janice R. Bingham (Mona) and the late Carol L. Watson, Sr., passed away Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born July 30, 1929 in Hartford. A longtime resident of Bristol, he was a retired Bristol Police Officer, having served on the force from 1958 to 1984. Prior to moving to Bristol in the early 1950’s Bob was a graduate and a standout athlete at Weaver High School in Hartford, where he played basketball for three seasons and was a member of the school’s track team for two years. He played sports at the Forestville Boys Club and began coaching in the Forestville Little League, his first season in 1955. He remained involved in the league for over 40 years, as coach, manager, and in other roles. Bob was known as Forestville’s “Mr. Little League”. Among those he coached included former professional player Tom Shopay who played for him as a member of the Indians in the late 1950’s. In 1976, his All-Star squad from the Forestville Little League played in the World Series in Williamsport, PA and ended up placing 5th in the world. For 30 years he was District 5 administrator for the Connecticut Little League and was instrumental in bringing the annual Eastern Regional Little League Tournament to Bristol’s Giamatti Complex. In 1995, he was selected as Connecticut Little League’s “Volunteer of the Year”. Besides his wife, Mona, he is survived by his eight children, Carol L. Watson, Jr. and her husband, David Frechette, of Plainville, Robin Jean Watson of Bridgeport, Barbara Watson of Florida, Robert S. Watson, Jr. of Manchester, Roger A. Watson of Bristol, Ronald B. Watson of Bristol, David Watson of Florida, and Brian Irving of Hartford; his brother, Thomas Watson of South Carolina; several grandchildren, including Elijah and Sydney Frechette, whom he lived with; several great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his mother, Jean Watkins and his three brothers, Donald, Earl, and Lewis Watson.
