Thomas A. Watson

Thomas A. Watson of Hatboro, formerly of Carmel, Indiana, passed away on June 22, 2024 in Abington. He was 81 years old. He was the devoted husband of Ellen, with whom he shared 59 years of marriage. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio and was the son of the late Alexander and Patricia Watson. 

After graduating St. Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Tom went to Rutgers University, where he played football, was a member of Chi Psi fraternity, and met Ellen. They were married after graduation and he began his career in sales with Mobil Oil.  

For the last 30 years, Tom was in benefits and commercial insurance sales and consulting for his own portfolio of clients. He had many long time clients and colleagues with whom he enjoyed working and ensuring their businesses were protected. 

Tom loved to spend time at ‘the lake’ with his family and friends, i.e. Catawba Island on Lake Erie. He was known as an avid and skilled fisherman and treasured the times out in his boat. When not fishing, Tom could be found on the patio reading with a good cigar or making rounds on the golf cart talking about how and where the fish were biting. In his younger days he also enjoyed golfing, running, swimming and playing sports. He and Ellen were longtime active members of Twin Lakes Golf Club and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Indiana. Tom had a passionate Lionel model train hobby and displayed his creative side through many unique layouts and scenery.  He would put them up and take them down every year until the last 15 years or so when he built a very large layout that he toiled over and improved upon during the long winters away from Lake Erie.  

Tom will be remembered as a beloved, dedicated and fun father, grandfather and husband.  His grandchildren were his pride and joy and he always had time to chat about sports, share a good story, or play a spirited and competitive card or board game. He is already greatly missed. 

In addition to his wife, Ellen, Tom is survived by his four daughters, Deborah Watson of Cream Ridge New Jersey, Katherine Arnow and her husband, Ted, of North Wales, Cynthia Watson of Columbus Ohio, Patricia Heckler and her husband, Chris, of Lansdale, and four grandchildren Alex, Holly, Stephen and Daniel, as well as his sisters Marilyn Gilroy and Judy Sutherland in Ohio. He is predeceased by his parents and brothers-in-law, Jim Gilroy and Mark Sutherland.  

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation on Thursday, June 27th from 9:30 - 10:30 am and Funeral Mass immediately following in St John Bosco Church, 215 E. County Line Road, Hatboro, PA 19040. His interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lake Erie Foundation, 236 Walnut Ave. Lakeside, OH 43440.

To share memories and condolences with Tom’s family, please visit his tribute page above.

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