Carl E. Watson, Jr., 88, of Damariscotta, went with the Lord on July 5 from complications of a stroke in Damariscotta. He was born April 20, 1921 in Kennebunk, a son of Carl Watson, Sr. and Gladys Watson.
He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII where he was a communications officer. While in Europe he met and married Joan Skelton of Southampton, England. When they came back to the United States, they settled in Boothbay Harbor where he started “Watson’s Radio Service.” He installed and serviced communications equipment, towers, and two-way radios for police, fire and ambulance in Knox, Lincoln and Sagadahoc Counties, and for the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine.
Carl built his first radio when he was 13 years old. Being a HAM Radio Operator was his passion until his stroke. He looked forward to the yearly HAMFESTs where the over the air voices actually had faces. His last HAMFEST was in 2006 where he really enjoyed seeing his pals from all over. He will be known and best remembered by many as “W 1 N V.” On Feb. 3 the licensed radio amateurs issued him an award for 70 years of service.
In 1994 he was invited to France where he attended an award ceremony of 500 HAM operators from all over the world. During Desert Storm he helped along with others setting up communication through short wave radio so loved ones in Iraq could talk with loved ones here on the home front.
He was known for being very meticulous and more times than not whoever came to his home to do work found him taking it out and re-doing himself.
He is predeceased by his parents; wife of 50 years; son-in-law, George Shaw; and great-grandson, Bluebear Lalli.
He is survived by two daughters, Teresa Shaw of Boothbay, and Cathy Penn and companion Fred Ryan of Waldoboro; grandchildren, Tracy Bettencourt of Clinton, Mass., Michael Bettencourt of San Diego, Cal., Chrystal Lalli of Waldoboro,
Rebecca Penn of Waldoboro, and Matthew Lalli of Camden; great-grandchildren, Isaac Bickford of Waldoboro, and Qiana Lalli of Camden; very special to his heart, his niece, Jean LaVerriere of Falmouth, who he sponsored as a teen so she could become a United States citizen; and cousin, George Watson of Gorham.
Time of visitation 1-2 p.m., Wed., July 8, funeral 2 p.m. at the Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay. A reception will follow the service at the Charles Sherman American Legion Post in Boothbay.
Donations in his memory may be made to Service People Overseas serving Iraq and Afghanistan.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, Boothbay.
