OSWALD (“Ossie”) CONSTANTINE WATSON 1938 to 2021 Oswald, “Ossie”, 83, went home with the Lord in the early hours of December 24, 2021 on Long Island, NY surrounded by family. He is mourned by his beloved wife, Claudette; children Patricia, Christine (Luc), Paul, Richard, Susan and Jon; grandchildren Hannah, Matthieu, Simone, Elijah, Marcus, Leah, Jaelin, Ari and Jon Anthony II; his nephew, Wayne (Rudee), as well as his extended Newman-Aird family and lifelong friends. The son of the late Egbert Washington Watson and Alexandria Euphemia Watson (née Legore), and little brother of the late Isabel Watson Robotham, Ossie was born on October 25, 1938 in Glengoffe, St. Catherine, Jamaica. Having lost his father when he was only a year old, Ossie assisted his mother, who took over his father’s trucking business, by driving and fixing trucks as early as age 13. He helped coordinate the family business around his school work. It was during this time that he developed his love for repairing cars and became a general Mr. “Fix-it”. Ossie’s early academic achievements led to a scholarship in the field of aviation at the British Ministry of Aviation School for Air Traffic Controllers in the UK. He was an Air Traffic Controller (his favorite job), then Air Traffic Supervisor at Palisadoes Airport (now Norman Manley International) in Kingston, Jamaica before he and his family moved to New York in the 1970s. He returned to academia for further studies at the Electronic Computer Programming Institute New York City College of Technology (magna cum laude) and the Academy of Aeronautics, NY, before joining the engineering team at Lucas Aerospace in New Jersey until he retired in 1997. Ossie was proud of his time at Lucas, especially his innovative work on engineering the wings for the vertical and short takeoff and landing Osprey aircraft and his leadership in heading the team that developed the engine for the Harrier jump jets. Ossie was a patient man and an excellent listener. He was very logical and analytical, and he gave sound and thoughtful advice. He was courageous, and he picked his causes wisely. He was an eloquent and charismatic speaker whose quick humor and outstanding comedic timing garnered him the nickname, ‘King of the One-Liners’. Ossie was known as an avid dominoes player and a man who loved parties and good company. He was also known for his attention to detail, dry wit and droll delivery that offered so many memorable moments. He was one of a kind and even when faced with enormous challenges, he lived a life without complaint. He is cherished by many who will miss him dearly.
Visitation
Thursday, December 30, 2021
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hartnett Funeral Home
561 Jerusalem Avenue
Uniondale, NY 11553
Funeral Mass and Celebration of the Life of Oswald Watson
Thursday, December 30, 2021
12:30 pm
St Martha’s Roman Catholic Church (Behind the funeral home)
546 Greengrove Avenue
Uniondale, NY 11553
In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated.
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