Arthur Watt, Sr.

AUBURN – Arthur C. Watt Sr., 97, of Wellman Street, died Saturday, October 1, 2022, at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester.  He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Viola J. (Gregarczyk) Watt; two children, James A. Watt and his wife Anne of Liberty, MO, and Donna M. (Watt) Finizza of Oxford; seven grandchildren, Michael A. Finizza III and his wife Heidi of Charlton, Todd C. Finizza and his wife Kelly of Oxford, Arthur Watt of Palmer, Amy (Watt) Meyer and her husband Greg of Oxford, Angie (Watt) Stoller and her husband Shaun of Owasso, OK, James Watt and his wife Jill of Kansas City, MO, and John Watt and his wife Shanna of Kansas City, MO; 17 great grandchildren, and many nephews and nieces.  He was predeceased by a son, Arthur Watt II; a brother, James Watt; a sister, Shirley Orr; and his son-in-law, Michael A. Finizza, Jr.  He was born in Portsmouth, NH, son of the late James Y. and Ida (Weeks) Watt Sr. and lived in Auburn for over 70 years.  He graduated from Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth, NH.

Mr. Watt enlisted in the U.S. Army in June of 1943.  He served with the 27th Division 106th Regiment in the Pacific central area.  He participated in the Saipan and Okinawa Campaigns as a machine gunner.  He was a sharpshooter in rifle and expert as a machine gunner.  He received the Purple Heart after being wounded in Okinawa, as well as the Bronze Star and Infantry Combat Badge prior to his discharge in 1947.  He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and a member of the American Legion in Auburn.

Mr. Watt worked for New England High Carbon for 12 years prior to retirement.  He was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Auburn.  He was a member of the Auburn Senior Bowling League, as well as the Greendale Bowling and Golf Leagues.  He enjoyed fishing, restoring furniture, and collecting antique furniture.  He enjoyed carpentry throughout his life and most of all, enjoyed spending time with his family.

Arthur had the great pleasure to meet Helen Keller and her companion at the time, Miss Polly Thompson, when they came to Arthur’s bedside at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in New Hampshire.  Arthur was an honest, loving, caring man, a wonderful husband, and generous father.  He will be missed beyond words.

A funeral service will be held privately for family.  Burial will be private at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Veterans Inc., 69 Grove St., Worcester, MA 01605.  Paradis-Givner Funeral Home in Oxford is directing the arrangements.