Thomas Joseph Watman

About

Farmington High School Timberlane Regional High School University of New Hampshire

FUNERAL HOME

Holt Woodbury Funeral Homes and Cremation Service - Henniker

19 Hall Ave

Henniker, New Hampshire

Thomas Watman Obituary

HENNIKER - Thomas Joseph Watman, 74, of Henniker, died from complications from a stroke on Sept. 26, 2012. Whether he liked it or not (and we know he did), he was surrounded by his loving, immediate family.

Born in Manchester on Aug. 22, 1938, to the late Thomas E. Watman and Stella (Bogacki) Watman, Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth (Betty) Watman; brother Michael X. Watman and sister-in-law Luise Watman; son Mark Thomas Watman and daughter-in-law Jennifer Watman; daughter Susan Watman-Schultz and son-in-law Eric Schultz; and grandchildren Benjamin Schultz, Nicholas Schultz, and Cheyanne Watman. He is also survived by his trusted companion "Socs" (short for Socrates), the basset hound, as well as cousins, nieces, friends, acquaintances, and just enough enemies to be certain he lived life well and without too much compromise.

Tom dedicated his life to his local community in Henniker, the town he moved to in 1969. There he worked as a principal for the Henniker Schools (K-12) and as assistant superintendent and superintendent of SAU 24. As an educator, he was student-centered and fought hard for special education rights and services. He was a writer of over a thousand weekly columns of "Watman's World" which appeared most recently in The Villager, coached high school and town athletics for over 25 years, and believed strongly in the importance of public service, having served eight years as a selectman (four years as chairman) and nine years on the Henniker Community School Board (four years as chairman), as well as on countless other committees.

Tom was not a simple man. He was complicated, and was not afraid to stand alone and fight for what he believed was right. He admired those who worked hard, even if they failed and valued "stick-to-it-ive-ness" being a "straight shooter" and living life with compassion for others.

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services:In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom's memory to the Town of Henniker - Youth Athletics, 2 Depot Hill Road, Henniker, 03242. A public and informal wake will be held at Holt Funeral Home in Henniker, on Sunday, Sept. 30, from 6 to 8 p.m. (drop by if you can), and a Catholic Mass will be held the following day, Monday, Oct. 1, at St. Theresa's Church in Henniker at 11 a.m.

The Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family. For more, log on to www.holtwoodburyfh.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Union Leader on Sep. 30, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Watman

9 Entries

Helen (Drapeau) Worster

October 6, 2012

Tom Watman was an inspiring teacher at FHS who motivated me to be politically involved, even to this day. Nothing would please him more than a high-spirited discussion about most any subject. He loved his family, friends, and his special pal, Socs. Tom, you will be dearly missed. Give God a break from your lengthy debates. RIP

October 6, 2012

I had Mr. Watson as a teacher in 1961 at Farmington High School in New Hampshire.He was a very nice teacher. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
Brenda Harriman Dillon

State Rep Joe Pitre

October 2, 2012

I have fond memories of Mr Watman in civics class at Farmington High School in the early sixties. He was also our successful JV basketball coach.
He will always be an important part of our lives and must be smiling down to find one of his challenged students, a Farmington School Board Member and State Representative on the Education Committee. Gods speed and thank you for the roll you played in giving us the tools to be successful in life.

September 30, 2012

Tom gave me my first "real job" as Receptionist for SAU #24. If I hadn't been given that opportunity I might never have met my husband of 29 years who worked there as well....so thanks, Tom! You will be missed by many....RIP...-Janice Page

Barbara Reed Larkin

September 30, 2012

Condolences to the family of Mr. Watman. I attended Farmington High School, class of 1961 and had Mr. Watman for a teacher and he also chaperoned our class trip to NYC.

Class of 1961's Class Trip to NYC, chaperoned by Mr. and Mrs. Watson.

Barbara Reed Larkin

September 30, 2012

I, too, remember Mr. Watman from Farmington High School as a teacher and as a chaperone for our class trip to NYC. Rest in Peace.

September 30, 2012

I remember Mr. Watman and how he conducted his class at Farmington High School. He and his wife joined us on our 1961 class trip to New York. I also became a teacher and hisbeliefs about teaching inspired me. Joanne Carey Pallas

Christine (Waldron) Boucher

September 30, 2012

I had Mr. Watman for my consumer economics teacher in Farmington 51 years ago and he chaperoned our class trip to New York city. I beleive he made an impact on a lot of lives. So very sorry to hear of his passing.

Kathy Smith

September 30, 2012

We will never forget the great teacher Mr. Watman was. He was my civic teacher at Henniker High School. Kathy Smith(Colbath)

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