Obituary for Trevor Alan Watts
WATTS Trevor Alan
June 28, 1929 (Winnipeg, MB) - May 23, 2020 (West Vancouver, BC)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Trevor Alan Watts, dear husband, father, grandfather and friend. Trevor will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Mary Alice (nee Hill), children, Brian (Fiona) and Graham (Roxane Carr), grandchildren, Claire and Robbie, and sister-in-law, Barbara McQuade. He is predeceased by his brother Donald, and parents Reginald and Margaret Watts.
Trevor (“Trev”) will be remembered as a kind and gentle man who always lived his life with integrity. He loved being surrounded by friends and family, never wanting to be the centre of attention but always placing high value on family life.
Growing up in Winnipeg, he developed an unshakable pride in being a Winnipegger (even if only in spirit for most of his life!). He always made Winnipeg sound like you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!
He received his B.Sc. in Organic Chemistry and M.Sc. in Plant Biochemistry, both from the University of Manitoba. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in Carbohydrate Chemistry from McGill University by the age of 24.
Dr. Watts started his professional career at General Foods (now Kraft Heinz Canada) where, a few years later, he met the love of his life, Mary Alice (“Mary Al”). His responsibilities at General Foods included various managerial positions overseeing technical research, marketing and product development based in Toronto, Cobourg and New York.
Trev and Mary Al were married in June, 1959 and started their life together in Toronto.
In 1973, Trevor’s intellectual curiosity and desire to make a contribution to young people led him to the University of Guelph. As a professor in the relatively new Department of Consumer Studies, he made many academic contributions and influenced the lives of many students and peers during his years on Faculty. In 1994, Trevor retired and was honoured with the title Professor Emeritus (FACS).
Trevor was also very involved in various community and professional organizations along the way, both locally and nationally. In particular, Trevor was active in various roles over many years with the Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST), including CIFST President, 1986-87.
Early on, Trevor had a great sense of adventure, evident in a fairly spontaneous road trip in the mid-1950s from Ontario to Alaska and back with three of his buddies. That love for adventure continued with his family, who together shared many unique and treasured vacations in the years to follow.
With professional colleagues, and more often with dear friends, Trev and Mary Al loved hosting dinner parties, as well as exploring little-known regional culinary treasures where they were often greeted by the owners and staff like part of the family. For many years, they spent countless enjoyable evenings with their symphony pals at the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, followed by something to nibble on together afterwards and always great conversation and laughter!
By 2004, Trevor and Mary Alice were ready for another adventure - a move to Vancouver’s North Shore to be closer to their kids and grandkids. It has been such a blessing to have the family all together and share in each other’s lives across generations.
The family would like to extend gratitude to the care providers and staff at Amica Lions Gate in West Vancouver, and to Dr. Nicole Barre for providing Trevor with such excellent medical care.
While he will be missed greatly, he lived life well and our memories of Trev/Dad/GP will live on in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
June 28, 1929 (Winnipeg, MB) - May 23, 2020 (West Vancouver, BC)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dr. Trevor Alan Watts, dear husband, father, grandfather and friend. Trevor will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Mary Alice (nee Hill), children, Brian (Fiona) and Graham (Roxane Carr), grandchildren, Claire and Robbie, and sister-in-law, Barbara McQuade. He is predeceased by his brother Donald, and parents Reginald and Margaret Watts.
Trevor (“Trev”) will be remembered as a kind and gentle man who always lived his life with integrity. He loved being surrounded by friends and family, never wanting to be the centre of attention but always placing high value on family life.
Growing up in Winnipeg, he developed an unshakable pride in being a Winnipegger (even if only in spirit for most of his life!). He always made Winnipeg sound like you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!
He received his B.Sc. in Organic Chemistry and M.Sc. in Plant Biochemistry, both from the University of Manitoba. He then went on to earn his Ph.D. in Carbohydrate Chemistry from McGill University by the age of 24.
Dr. Watts started his professional career at General Foods (now Kraft Heinz Canada) where, a few years later, he met the love of his life, Mary Alice (“Mary Al”). His responsibilities at General Foods included various managerial positions overseeing technical research, marketing and product development based in Toronto, Cobourg and New York.
Trev and Mary Al were married in June, 1959 and started their life together in Toronto.
In 1973, Trevor’s intellectual curiosity and desire to make a contribution to young people led him to the University of Guelph. As a professor in the relatively new Department of Consumer Studies, he made many academic contributions and influenced the lives of many students and peers during his years on Faculty. In 1994, Trevor retired and was honoured with the title Professor Emeritus (FACS).
Trevor was also very involved in various community and professional organizations along the way, both locally and nationally. In particular, Trevor was active in various roles over many years with the Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST), including CIFST President, 1986-87.
Early on, Trevor had a great sense of adventure, evident in a fairly spontaneous road trip in the mid-1950s from Ontario to Alaska and back with three of his buddies. That love for adventure continued with his family, who together shared many unique and treasured vacations in the years to follow.
With professional colleagues, and more often with dear friends, Trev and Mary Al loved hosting dinner parties, as well as exploring little-known regional culinary treasures where they were often greeted by the owners and staff like part of the family. For many years, they spent countless enjoyable evenings with their symphony pals at the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, followed by something to nibble on together afterwards and always great conversation and laughter!
By 2004, Trevor and Mary Alice were ready for another adventure - a move to Vancouver’s North Shore to be closer to their kids and grandkids. It has been such a blessing to have the family all together and share in each other’s lives across generations.
The family would like to extend gratitude to the care providers and staff at Amica Lions Gate in West Vancouver, and to Dr. Nicole Barre for providing Trevor with such excellent medical care.
While he will be missed greatly, he lived life well and our memories of Trev/Dad/GP will live on in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Diabetes Association.