WATTERS, Neil Archibald - Was born on September 14, 1921 and died on September 22, 2020, a week and a day after his 99th birthday. He did a lot with his time.
After going to public school and high school (Oakwood Collegiate) in Toronto, he entered medical school (University of Toronto), and the army, in 1939.
(Several medical classmates were among his closest lifelong friends.)
He graduated in 1944 and became a captain serving until 1946 at the Crumlin Military Hospital in London, Ontario.
There he met Shelagh Dillon, a young physiotherapist who was beautiful inside and out. This was one of the luckiest things to happen to him in his life. Sine qua non.
They married in 1947. Neil trained as a surgeon in the Gallie/Janes program at the University of Toronto until 1951. He became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Canada) in the same year, and later of the American College of Surgeons.
He and Shelagh moved with their first child Doug to Galt. Shortly after, Jim was born. The family lived in Galt until 1955 when they moved to Toronto and Neil took a staff position at the Wellesley Hospital. Mike was born in 1955 around the time of the move but not on the exact day. Louise was born in 1959.
Neil Watters was predeceased by his wife Shelagh, his siblings Jessie, Darroch and Bruce Watters; his in-laws Richard Dillon, Dr. Michael Dillon, and Dr. Diana Johnston; and many friends.
He is survived by patients whom he helped, colleagues whom he taught, and his children Doug Watters, Jim Watters (Patricia), Mike Watters (Terri), and Louise Craig (Burch); his grandchildren Dr. Caitlin Pepperell, Sean Watters, Dr. Sarah Watters, Grant Watters (Macallagh McEvoy), Neil Watters (Haley Harrier), Isaac Watters, and Albert Craig; his great-grandchildren Myrna and Ned Burns; his nieces Kelly Meighen, Ann Dillon, Kate Dillon, Catherine Watters, and Marion Yerbury; his great-nephews Dylan Yerbury, Darwin Yerbury, Kelton Yerbury, Jason Buriak; and his great-niece Lisa Buriak.
His family would like to acknowledge with great appreciation the excellent care he received over the last six years of his life at Belmont House. They were there for him. In particular we would like to thank Gail Walker and her colleagues at Belmont House, and his caregivers Imelda Cale, Aurora De La Pena, Gerty Henson, Valentina Joy Barcelona, and Kurt Abkilan from Home Instead.
In view of the COVID 19 pandemic, there will be no service or celebration at this time.
Neil Watters was especially interested in conservation, libraries, and student bursaries. Anyone who would like to make a donation to mark his passing is invited to consider charities in these fields. Acts of kindness, consideration or care would also not go amiss.
Neil Watters was not fond of organized religion. But he had to endure prayers by others for him from time to time, including once from an entire convent.
Here is one last one: May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
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