1950
Richard
2024
Richard Watkins, Jr.
January 3, 1950 — September 4, 2024
ILION - Richard Watkins, Jr., husband, father, Grampy, went home to be with Jesus, on September 4, 2024, at the age of 74, after a brave fight with leukemia.
He was born to Richard and Peggy Watkins Sr., on January 3, 1950 and grew up in Long Island, New York. He served four years in the Air Force, which included one year stationed in Vietnam and he was honorably discharged.
On December 4, 1971, he married the love of his life, of 52 years, Diane. Together they have two children, Joshua (Lisa) Watkins and Sarah (Anthony) Hussein; five adored grandchildren, Emma, Olivia, Aneesa, Malachi and Micah; and two grand dogs, Jake and SAMM. He worked at Remington Arms, Ilion, for over 30 years, until his retirement.
Rich loved to take trips to Disney World with his family and is fondly remembered for carrying around his large video camera to capture all the fun when his children were younger. He loved all audio/visual things including serving in his church, Mount Zion Church, now known as redeemer, for many years, as a soundman, attending concerts like Boston, Styx, and the Beach Boys and DJing many weddings and events for friends over the years. He spent innumerable hours tinkering in his garage and loved all things cars and racing, especially enjoying time with his brothers at the racetrack. He also loved to play video games and carried this into his time as a grandfather by playing countless hours of Minecraft with the grandkids. His sense of humor was contagious and you were never sure if the story he was telling you was serious or just a test to see if you’d believe him. He also took great joy in sharing the funny ‘memes’ he found.
Simply said, Richard leaves behind his awesome family, as listed above and his brother, Ronald (Lucy) Watkins.
He was predeceased by his father, Richard Watkins, Sr.; his mother, Peggy Watkins; and his brother, Robert Watkins.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.
Funeral Services will be held at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, in Ilion, New York and will consist of the following: Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Concluding the evening, at 6:00 p.m., at the funeral home chapel, Rev. Michael Servello, Sr. will lead us in prayer. Relatives and friends are invited to join us on Tuesday, as well as Friday, September 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, New York, where interment will take place with full military honors.
Richard’s funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, Ilion, New York, Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors (315) 894-8000.
Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.
He was born to Richard and Peggy Watkins Sr., on January 3, 1950 and grew up in Long Island, New York. He served four years in the Air Force, which included one year stationed in Vietnam and he was honorably discharged.
On December 4, 1971, he married the love of his life, of 52 years, Diane. Together they have two children, Joshua (Lisa) Watkins and Sarah (Anthony) Hussein; five adored grandchildren, Emma, Olivia, Aneesa, Malachi and Micah; and two grand dogs, Jake and SAMM. He worked at Remington Arms, Ilion, for over 30 years, until his retirement.
Rich loved to take trips to Disney World with his family and is fondly remembered for carrying around his large video camera to capture all the fun when his children were younger. He loved all audio/visual things including serving in his church, Mount Zion Church, now known as redeemer, for many years, as a soundman, attending concerts like Boston, Styx, and the Beach Boys and DJing many weddings and events for friends over the years. He spent innumerable hours tinkering in his garage and loved all things cars and racing, especially enjoying time with his brothers at the racetrack. He also loved to play video games and carried this into his time as a grandfather by playing countless hours of Minecraft with the grandkids. His sense of humor was contagious and you were never sure if the story he was telling you was serious or just a test to see if you’d believe him. He also took great joy in sharing the funny ‘memes’ he found.
Simply said, Richard leaves behind his awesome family, as listed above and his brother, Ronald (Lucy) Watkins.
He was predeceased by his father, Richard Watkins, Sr.; his mother, Peggy Watkins; and his brother, Robert Watkins.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.
Funeral Services will be held at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road, in Ilion, New York and will consist of the following: Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Concluding the evening, at 6:00 p.m., at the funeral home chapel, Rev. Michael Servello, Sr. will lead us in prayer. Relatives and friends are invited to join us on Tuesday, as well as Friday, September 13, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer, New York, where interment will take place with full military honors.
Richard’s funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, Ilion, New York, Enea, Ciaccia & Applegate Funeral Directors (315) 894-8000.
Online notes of sympathy may be left at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Watkins, Jr., please visit our flower store.
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