Watson1941~2020Frank Thomas (Tom) Watson of Springfield, PA, age 79, passed away on April 15th, 2020.Tom was born April 6, 1941 at Hahnemann Hospital (Philadelphia) to Ralph Thomas and Grace Elizabeth (Hess) Watson of Clover Lane, Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of five sons. He was predeceased by all his brothers: William, Ronald, Robert, and Hubert. A childhood experience he loved to share with his children was as camper and, later, counselor at Y.M.C.A. Camp Chesapeake in Maryland. He attended Upper Darby High School. After high school he attended Philadelphia Wireless Technical Institute and earned his First Class Radio Telegraph License and went on to a career in broadcast television. He retired from WCAU-TV (NBC 10) in 2000 after a 38-year career that involved covering major news and sports locally and around the world. Some memorable stories include: the eruption of Mount St. Helens, Eagles and Phillies training camps, the MOVE standoff in West Philadelphia, multiple presidential primaries and party conventions, the Reagan-Gorbachev Summit, peace talks in Israel, and the visit of Pope John Paul II to the U.S. Tom enjoyed many hobbies, including amateur (ham) radio, motorcycling, breeding canaries, and sailing – the pastime he enjoyed most in his later years. Tom had three sons – Tom, Scott and Jeffrey – with his first wife, Clementine Campisi. He had three children – Russell, Frank Jr. and Tara – with his second wife, Sandra Stock. He spent the last 34 years together with his beloved companion, Ginnie Stone, who has three daughters – Patti, Cathy, and Gretchen.The family will always fondly remember summer vacations in Ocean City, NJ, swimming in the backyard pool he loved so much, sailing trips on the Chesapeake, and time together on his back porch.He was predeceased by his son Jeffery Watson. He is survived by sons Ralph Thomas and wife, Mia of San Jose, CA; Anthony Scott and wife, Kim of Coplay, PA; Russell Walter and wife, Lori of Brooksville, FL; Frank Thomas of Parrish, FL; daughter Tara Lynn of Bristol, FL; stepdaughters Patti Smith and husband, Ken of Broomall, PA; Cathy Serluco and husband, Jim of Broomall, PA; and Gretchen Clapper and husband, Dennis of Montgomeryville, PA; as well as 15 grandchildren: Mandy, Eliot, Olivia (mother, Christine Bagalonis Watson), Minh-Anh, Ben, Abby, Jessica, Stefan, Cory, Matthew M, Alyson, Kenny, Amanda, Jimmy, and Matthew S.Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Saturday April 24, 2021 1;00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. followed by his Memorial Service 2:00 p.m. in the Main Chapel of the D’Anjolell Memorial Home 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008.Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his name to a charity of your choice.Live stream via https://twitch.tv/danjolellstigale?sr=a
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