Obituary of Edward Rankin Watt

Ted passed away peacefully during the early morning hours of Thursday, October 22, 2020, in the Green Falls Landing Retirement Residence in Regina, at the age of 91 years.

Ted is survived by his three children David (Sharmane nee Thresher) of Regina, Heather Watt of Calgary, AB and Gordon (Christine Kelly) of Wetaskiwin, AB; seven grandchildren Adam Watt (Catherine Warriner), Jaida (Kirk), Rybchynski, Daniel Watt, Allan Kelly-Watt, Matthew (Breanna nee Scott) Kelly-Watt, Robert Kelly-Watt and Sean Kelly-Watt; seven great-grandchildren, Amelia and Elon Watt; Edward, Alexander and Cassandra Rybchynski; and Andrew and Aaron Kelly-Watt; brother-in-law Henry (Ruth nee Florence) Cripps as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his beloved wife Gladys; granddaughter Lillian Kelly-Watt; great-granddaughter Jasmine Rybchynski; parents James and Edith Watt and sister Gayle Biden.

Ted was born on January 12, 1929 in Sintaluta, SK to parents James and Edith Watt.  He was the eldest of three siblings, his younger brother John (Donna nee Reid) Watt of Calgary, AB and the youngest, was his sister Gayle (Harry) Biden of Vancouver BC who has passed away.

Ted was raised in Sintaluta where he met Gladys Cripps of Wolseley, SK.  They married on November 24, 1954. Initially the young couple resided on the Watt family farm outside of Sintaluta before moving to Regina in 1956 where they lived in the same house for 60 years.

Ted and Gladys moved into The Bentley Retirement Residence in January of 2016.  After Gladys' passing in January of 2019, Ted resided at the Green Falls Landing Retirement Residence where the staff took very good care of him.

Ted graduated from High School in Sintaluta and Luther College in Regina. He initially farmed the family farm outside of Sintaluta, and then moved to Regina where he worked for SaskTel for a short period of time.  He obtained his accounting certificate and worked for the Provincial Government in various departments until his retirement. Ted enjoyed a variety of sports, of which baseball and curling he continued with for most of his life.  He was a Certified Level 1 Baseball Coach with the Saskatchewan Baseball Association and coached minor baseball with the Regina Kiwanis Little League for over 30 years.  One of the baseball diamonds at Kiwanis Park in Regina was named in his honour.  He was curling up until just 3 years ago, at the age of 88, a sport he played for 70+ years.  On February 4, 2004, Ted skipped an 8-Ender curling game (Bud Pool - Lead; Norm Johnson - Second; Orest Warnyca - Third) during the Men's Afternoon League at the Caledonian Curling Club in Regina. He was also deeply devoted to his local church - Lakeview United Church, where he served as  Sunday School teacher and various board positions. Ted was a regular blood donor with Canadian Blood Services; recipient of the Canada 125 Commemorative Medal and the Saskatchewan 125 Volunteer Recognition Award, a member of a bowling team and the Regina Old Timer's Association. As an official carrier in the Trans Canada Trail Relay 2000, Ted's name is inscribed on The Regina - Grassick Park Pavilion located in Grassick Park (near 5600 block of Dewdney Avenue, Regina - east of the RCMP Depot). During Ted's career with the Provincial Government he walked to and from work no matter what the weather was like. He continued walking daily until earlier this year.  As an avid genealogist, Ted traced his family tree back to 1592.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a small service will be held for family and close friends.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Ted’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan, 301-2550 12^th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3X1.