Obituary of George Watson

George F. Watson Westfield, NY-George F. Watson of 15 Colburn St. passed away Wednesday (May 6, 2009) at Absolut Care of Westfield with his loving family at his side after years of living with heart disease but succumbing after a noble battle with cancer. Born February 15, 1927 in Cuba, NY he was the son of John M. and Ruth Voorhes Watson. He was previously married to Ann Warner. He later married Evelyn Rogers who predeceased him January 21, 1997. On May 26, 2001 in Mayville, NY he married Elaine Bell who survives. Mr. Watson was raised in Cuba and before high school graduation he enlisted in the US Marine Corps 6th Division where he served during WWII from 1944 until 1946. He received his high school diploma in 1948 and later attended Tri State University in Indiana. He first worked as a signal repairman for the Erie Railroad and also worked for the former Daystrom Furniture Co. in Olean. He then began a long career with the NYS Department of Parks and Recreation where he was first assigned as the Superintendent and Park Ranger for Cuba Lake for many years. He later transferred to Hamlin Beach State Park where he was the Superintendent of Park Operations. He retired after several years with the Niagara Falls State Park. After retirement he moved to the Olean area, settling in Allegany until moving to Westfield in January of 2000. He was a former member of the First Baptist Church of Cuba and later attended Christ United Methodist Church in Olean. He was an avid conversationalist and enjoyed his memberships in the Jamestown Astronomy Club and the Tuesday Night Smudge Card Club. He was also a proud member of the VFW and he served as an officer for the Lake Shore Marine Corps League. He was a member and past Master of the Cuba-Friendship Masonic Lodge #306 F&amp;AM and a member of the Cuba-Rushford Alumni Association. In previous years he was a member of the Cuba Fire Department, was past commander of the American Legion of Cuba and was a volunteer with the Cuba Boy Scout Troop. He also formerly volunteered for the Meals on Wheels Program in Olean. Mr. Watson had a longtime interest in photography and in radio controlled airplanes as well as an interest in attending air shows. In recent years he enjoyed playing golf. Surviving besides his wife are 1 daughter Brenda J. Casey of Allegany; 4 stepchildren Kim (Kathy Fisk) Weber of Allegany, Gregg (Janice) Weber of Holley, Jackie (Peter Brand) Phillips of Boston, MA and Bill (Erika) Phillips of Cornelius, NC; 3 grandchildren Alaina A. Casey, Chad W. Casey and Briana J. Casey; 9 step grandchildren; 11 step great grandchildren; 1 brother Raymond (Debbie) Watson of Batavia and several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased 1 brother John Albert Watson; 1 stepson Robert Phillips and 1 step grandson Shane Weber. Friends will be received at the Mason Funeral Home 37 Clinton St. Westfield today from 2-4 &amp; 6-8pm. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 1-3 &amp; 6-8pm at the Casey, Halwig &amp; Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. Funeral services will be held Monday (May 11, 2009) at 11:00am at the Christ United Methodist Church on Linwood Ave. in Olean. Rev. William Leslie, chaplain for Hospice of Chautauqua Co., will officiate. Burial with full military honors will be in Cuba Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Hospice Chautauqua County 4840 W. Lake Rd. Mayville, NY 14757, Cuba-Rushford Alumni Association or to Meals On Wheels. <h3>Visitation</h3> Friday 2-4 & 6-8pm in the Mason Funeral Home, Westfield, NY Saturday 1-3 & 6-8pm in the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, Olean, NY <h3>Services</h3> Monday (May 11, 2009) at 11:00am in Christ United Methodist Church on Linwood Ave. in Olean (beside the Olean General Hospital on Main St.) <h3>Interment</h3> Burial, with full military honors, will be in Cuba Cemetery, Cuba, NY