Robert John Ross Watt, who was 86 years old at the time of his passing on December 2, 2022, was granted eternal rest by God. Bob Watt’s parents, Alexander and Genevieve Watt, brought him into the world in Toronto, Canada. He received his Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor after attending both St. Michael’s College School in Toronto and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he was a defenseman on the hockey team and earned his degree. Bob was named to the All-American team, was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Dekers Blue Line Club and the Michigauma Senior Men’s Honorary, and received an honorable mention as one of Michigan hockey’s top 50 players of all time. Bob served as the captain of the Wolverine hockey team on two separate occasions. Bob was appreciative of the opportunity that hockey presented to him and cherished the time he spent sharing stories with his family, friends, and teammates.
Bob met Stella Georgette Chretien, who he affectionately referred to as “Red” and “Babes,” while they were both participating in a fast-pitch league softball game in Timmins, Canada, over the summer break. They tied the knot in 1959 and started their life together by establishing themselves first in Michigan, where Bob worked for General Motors, and later in Ohio, where they purchased drive-thru companies. Bob counted several people among his lifetime pals among those he met in college and while spending the winters in Florida. In addition to being an enthusiastic reader and sports fan, he enjoyed the game of euchre, golfing with his friends from Florida, going to hockey reunions, and cruising with his sisters and brothers-in-law. His mother and father, together with his wife Stella, his sister Sue (Paul) Swain, and his son-in-law John Tortorella all passed away before Bob. His daughters Michelle Tortorella and Sherri (Tom) Andersen, as well as his son Bobby Watt, as well as his grandchildren Alexa, Sarah, Thomas, and Alex (Alden), and his sister Mary Lou (Bob) Molton are among those who carry on his legacy. He passed away on April 15, 2019.
Because of the real care and support they provided, the Watt family wishes to express their gratitude to the employees at the Hudson Danbury Senior Living facility, the Justin T. Rogers Hospice Care Center, and Bob’s devoted coworkers at the drive-thru companies. On Saturday, December 17, at 11:00 AM, a funeral liturgy will be performed at Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, which is located at 85 N. Miller Rd. in Akron, Ohio 44333. On Saturday, prior to the service, the family will receive friends at their home from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM. A graveside committal will take place at Rose Hill Burial Park immediately after the service. Bob believed in the importance of getting a good education and contributed to the John D. Tortorella Student Ambassador Endowed Fund at Bowling Green State University. In the event that you are moved to make a memorial contribution in Bob’s and John’s names, we ask that you send a check made out to BGSU Foundation, Inc. with Watt/Tortorella Endowed Fund written in the memo line to BGSU Gift Processing, Mileti Alumni Center, 126 N. Mercer Rd., Bowling Green, Ohio 43402.
