Elmer E. Watson

February 26, 1915 - July 27, 2016

Elmer Ellsworth Watson, a longtime resident of South Windsor, CT, passed away in Rotonda West, FL, on July 27, 2016, at the age of 101. Born in New London, CT, he graduated from Bulkeley High School there in 1934. Mr. Watson served in the U.S. Army during WWII as a medic with the 242nd Medical Detachment of the 42nd “Rainbow” Division in the European theater of war, which is where he earned the nickname “Doc”. After the war, Doc attended Morse College of Business in Hartford, CT, after which he worked as an outside salesman for the G.H. Berlin Oil Company in Hartford, CT, and then for the Automotive Wares Company in Rocky Hill, CT. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, Doc Watson served as the Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 62 in South Windsor, CT. Doc was an NRA Life Member and Master Pistol Shooter. He was a life member of the Capitol City Rifle & Pistol Club in Rocky Hill, CT, and a Life and Hall of Fame member of the Connecticut State Rifle & Revolver Association. He also served as the Pistol Tournament and Finance Director of the CSR&RA, and as Connecticut State Pistol Director, as well as being the Chief Range Officer of the Metropolitan Revolver League of Hartford for eighteen years. Doc was an NRA Certified Instructor, Range Officer, and Pistol Match Referee for the Connecticut State Championship Competitions, and served as the Pistol Tournament director for the Rockville Fish & Game Club, where in his later years he fell in love with the sport of Skeet shooting, breaking many a clay target every Wednesday with his faithful 20 gauge Ruger shotgun. In 1966 he received an engraved Colt .45 Gold Cup target pistol “Goodwin Award” from the Metropolitan Revolver League in recognition for his many years of service to that organization. Doc Watson is survived by his brother Donald G. Watson of Hartford, CT; six children: David Watson Sr., of Sneads Ferry, NC; Peter Watson of Port Charlotte, FL; Elaine Schenot of Clemmons, NC; Carolyn Watson-Peters of Framingham, MA; Richard Watson of South Windsor, CT; and Janet Scheible of Plano, TX; as well as six grandchildren: Angela Lanzieri; David Watson, Jr.; Nicole Watson; Katharine Schenot; Jacquelyn Scheible; and Gregory Schenot; plus four great grandchildren: Brittney Pietro; Samantha Pietro; Kristina Lanzieri; and Anthony Lanzieri. Mr. Watson’s cremains will be interred in Center Cemetery, 993 Main St., South Windsor, CT, along with those of his wife, Margaret Jergens Watson who predeceased him in July 2012 after 68 years of marriage.