WATSON, Roy “Al”

WATSON It is with great sadness we share ROY “AL” ALLAN WATSON crossed through the gates of heaven on December 25, 2024. Al was born to Eleanor and Frank Watson in Prince George in 1947, with his big brother Garry also welcoming him into the world. Soon a little brother and 2 little sisters would join the family, tragically, he lost his little brother Rae and little sister Margaret to a house fire in 1956, leaving his mom, dad, brother, and sister Elaine.
He moved to Calgary in the 60’s, where he met and married Sandy Watson, adopted her son Trent as his own and soon after welcomed in his daughter Corissa in 1974. At a young age he was interested in pursuing a career in photography, however, changed course and began a long career in the drywall industry. Al was a hardworking man, with old school principals and family values of providing for his family, moving his family from Calgary to Cranbrook for work, he took up hunting, fishing and camping as hobbies and building new friendships and family foundation. In the 80’s he moved his family to Saskatoon where he and Francois (France) Laroche started a drywall company. In the late 80’s he moved his family back to Calgary and welcomed in grandchildren, Keshia Spenst, Corissa Grace, Jessica Rodrigues & Cody Rodrigues. After a number of years in Calgary he moved to Lethbridge and eventually started his own drywall company. In 1996, the apple of his eye, grandson Davy was born and captured Al’s heart. Davy and Al shared a very special bond throughout life; most recently at his great-grandson, little Davy’s 3rd birthday in Lethbridge, whom was his little “sweetheart”, along with his granddaughter in-law, Gabby. He met Pam Holberton in 2001, they soon became best friends and soulmates, marrying in 2012, he often referred to Pam as his angel. He assumed the role of Dad for Kasey and Kyle, became father-in-law to Paul and grandfather to his 6th grandchild, Milo in 2014.
He had so many hobbies and interests making him a very in-depth and talented man, in his younger years he had a passion for photography and playing guitar. Stock car racing captured his interest, and he began racing in the early 70’s at the Circle 8 Speedway in Calgary, assuming the role of pitman, he was able to build and repair race cars alongside his buddies.
Al’s greatest passion and joy were that of his family. He looked forward to his annual camping trip every summer with Pam his brother Garry and sister-in-law Marian, where they would enjoy spending quality family time together. He spent his time in many bleachers, gyms, ice rinks and pools, cheering on his son Trent at hockey, watching his daughter Corissa at her relay races at the track, the gym watching Kasey play rugby, the hockey arena every weekend watching Davy play hockey or at the pool watching Milo swim, and in addition, he was a familiar face in the stands supporting and cheering on multiple other family members. Al got his motorcycle license, bought himself a Harley, and began riding where he made many great friends and memories at bike runs also enjoying rides with his wife Pam and their good friends, Vic and Kathy. Dad’s all-time favorite sport was hockey, it was futile to try and reach him when a game was on, the Calgary Flames were his number one team, whom he lovingly referred to as “his boy’s”. We used to tease dad because as skilled as he was at knowing the game of hockey and could “ref” a game from the couch, he still needed to learn to skate.
Al is remembered for his family values, love, devotion, deep care and generosity to all he encountered and his compassion for anyone that needed a helping hand, whether it was someone who he scooped up with his heart, gave them a job,ensured they had housing and taught them the trade, or an injured bird that needed its feather repaired, he would nurture all back to health and set them free again with grace and encouragement. His affinity for pets was a very special
part of Al, the essence of love in caring for helpless pups and cats brought so much joy to his life; he seemed to understand them on their level. Children would also naturally gravitate towards him, sensing the kind and gentle man he was, with his gentle and playful nature he would entertain, cuddle or just simply have little chats with them, whom in return brought a profound sense of happiness to his heart.
He was a dedicated husband, father, brother grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend who will be dearly missed and who left an indelible footprint in each of our hearts. A celebration of life will be held in the Spring of 2025, likely around his birthday in March; the family will send out details as we get closer to the date.
Special thanks go out to the doctors and nurses at the Chinook Regional Hospital for their care and compassion and to Al’s friend John that visited him each morning with a cup of coffee and had words of kindness and encouragement.
In lieu of flowers, if anyone wishes to make a donation in his memory, he was very fond of the Prairie Pets Rescue or a charity of their choice.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com