Obituary of Joseph J. Watts

Joseph J. Watts, of Williston Park, peacefully passed on to eternal life on January 9, 2022 at the age of 85.  He was the most loving, caring, husband to his wife, Eileen, for 57 years, and an exceptional father to his seven sons, Joseph (Kelly), John (Donna), Michael (Jennifer), Robert (Sonia), Brian, Matthew (Amy) and James (Nathalie.

He was “Grandpa” to nine grandchildren, John Daniel, Lisa, Brandon, A.J., Conor, Katie, Anna, Henry and little Jude.

Joe was a Captain on the New York City Fire Department before retiring after 33 ½ years, and he sincerely loved his job.  Although retired, he often went to his old Firehouse, Engine 235 in Brooklyn, after September 11^th to give comfort and support to the firefighters who were devastated.  Their appreciation was shown in a plaque they gave him afterwards.

He was very athletic and played baseball as a younger man, then softball for the Fire Department.  When he discovered golf he took to it like a duck to water and he was an excellent player.  He was in a league with other firefighters and he loved it.  He also enjoyed playing golf and tennis with Eileen.  He loved coaching Little League Baseball for his sons’ teams.

He also loved going to a resort called Sunny Hill with his large family, where he would play golf every day and occasionally sing karaoke at night in the hall.

He and Eileen travelled extensively for 25 years and saw much of the world.  They made many memories together.

He had an amazing sense of humor and often had his family smiling or chuckling at one of his jokes.

He liked to garden and plant things and when a younger landscaper he hired for a short time told him how to water the lawn properly, he fired him on the spot and went back to watering the old way, his way, and mowing the lawn himself.

He was a wonderful, good, man and will be missed by many.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the FDNY Burn Unit.

NYFFburncenter.com/Donate.aspx