Edward "Tony" Anthony Watters

Edward Anthony Watters (better known as Tony), age 82 of Belchertown and Venice Florida, passed away suddenly on July 28th after medical complications. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Diana Peck Watters. Tony was born on February 14, 1939 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the middle child of three boys. He is predeceased by his older brother John Nickerson ‘Nick’ Watters and survived by Nick’s wife Carol of Pennsylvania, and his younger brother David Watters and wife Lynda of New Hampshire. Tony was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Belmont Hill School in 1958, where he then went on to play football at Harvard College. After graduation and completing the Marine Corps MIT ROTC program, he proudly served his country as a Captain in active combat in the Vietnam War. He met his wife Diana Peck on a dare—they wed in 1969 and went on to have two children, Kirsten Modestow of Deerfield (married to Darius Modestow), and Edward Anthony Watters Jr. of Carlisle (married to Gwen Watters). Tony loved to make people smile, and he did so while proudly wearing his Marine Corps hat whether he was ringing the bell for the Salvation Army or volunteering for elder care services. He also was an avid duck decoy carver, and he leaves behind a gaggle of award-winning decoys. He was proud of his four grandchildren, Caroline and Edward Anthony ‘Teddy’ Watters III, and Rowan and Harper Modestow, and was a dedicated fan of their sporting events, a great listener of their endeavors, a revered judge of whatever baked good was brought to him, and a master of nicknames such as “Rugrat”. All services are private and at the convenience of the family, donations are welcome in his name at Shriners Hospitals for Children—Springfield (lovetotherescue.org).