Peter Damien Watson, 49, Beloved Son, Brother, Uncle, Cousin and Friend
Peter Damien Watson, everyone’s favorite buddy, left this world on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the age of 49, only a few months shy of his 50th birthday. As the light in so many lives, especially his dad’s, we are certain that heaven has gotten just a little bit brighter with Peter and his party-planning joining in.
Peter was born on July 1, 1975 in Fort Knox, Kentucky, to Leonie Sullivan Watson MD and Richard Watson MD. From the start it was clear that he was something special (he clearly had Down’s Syndrome, although one perceptive nurse thought he just looked like his father). With three doting older brothers, he immediately made his presence known, showing people his unique sign language and belly rolling skills until he mastered the long road to walking and talking. He would be joined by three more siblings and set himself as the true center of the Watson family.
Moving from Kentucky to San Francisco, Calif., to San Antonio, Tex., to Fort Belvoir, Va., to Evans, Ga., he made a mark everywhere he went, shooting baskets with the paper shoe inserts while working as a footwear department assistant in Target, testing out fast-food chains across the nation, and befriending every church choir director he met along the way.
When his parents settled down in Mountainside, N.J., Peter settled there, too, becoming a fixture at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church as well as many other churches and restaurants throughout the tri-state area.
Everyone knew Peter, and he was sure to introduce himself to everyone, both those he had met already and those he just hadn’t met yet. There are very few people left who don’t know when Peter’s birthday is, what the next treat or party is, and who is visiting: “Catherine’s here!” “Cecilia’s here!” “Patrick’s here!” He was an evangelist for joy, making sure everyone could participate in his wonderful world fully with him.
The world will not be the same without hearing every day what the next adventure for Peter will be. He will be welcomed in heaven by his grandparents; his mother, Leonie, and brother, Mark. He leaves behind his father, Richard; his siblings, John, Patrick, Daniel, Catherine, Michael and Cecilia; in-laws; nieces; nephews; cousins, and so many more who were able to experience the wonderfulness of Peter Watson. He was a living lesson in the inherent value of every person. May his joy live on in everyone he touched, and may his love of life never be forgotten.
Peter’s Life Celebration and Visitation was set for Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., at Gray Funeral Home, 318 East Broad Street, Westfield, N.J. His Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. today, Thursday, March 20, 2025, at the Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 300 Central Avenue, Mountainside, N.J. Funeral services for Peter in Massachusetts will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 21, 2025, with a Funeral Mass at the Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke, Mass., followed by interment in Notre Dame Cemetery in South Hadley, Mass.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Special Olympics: https://support.specialolympics.org/a/donate-one-time-now, or to The Arc of Union County: https://secure. qgiv.com/for/thearcofunioncounty/.
March 20, 2025
