Peter Damien Watson

Peter Damien Watson, everyone’s favorite buddy, left this world on March 9, 2025 at the age of 49, only a few months shy of his 50th birthday. As the light in so many lives, especially his dad’s, we are certain that heaven has gotten just a little bit brighter with Peter and his party-planning joining in.

Peter was born on July 1, 1975 in Ft. Knox, Kentucky to Leonie Sullivan Watson MD and Richard Watson MD. From the start it was clear that he was something special (he clearly had Down’s Syndrome, although one perceptive nurse thought he just looked like his father). With three doting older brothers, he immediately made his presence known, showing people his unique sign language and belly rolling skills until he mastered the long road to walking and talking. He would be joined by three more siblings, and set himself as the true center of the Watson family.

Moving from Kentucky to San Francisco, CA, to San Antonio, TX, to Ft. Belvoir, VA, to Evans, GA, he made a mark everywhere he went, shooting baskets with the paper shoe inserts while working as a footwear department assistant in Target, testing out fast-food chains across the nation, and befriending every church choir director he met along the way.

When his parents settled down in Mountainside, NJ, Peter settled there too, becoming a fixture at Our Lady of Lourdes Church as well as many other churches and restaurants throughout the tri-state area.

Everyone knew Peter and he was sure to introduce himself to everyone, both those he had met already and those he just hadn’t met yet. There are very few people left who don’t know when Peter’s birthday is, what the next treat or party is, and who is visiting “Catherine’s here!” “Cecilia’s here!” “Patrick’s here!” He was an evangelist for joy, making sure everyone could participate in his wonderful world fully with him.

The world will not be the same without hearing every day what the next adventure for Peter will be. He will be welcomed in heaven by his grandparents, his mother Leonie, and his brother Mark. He leaves behind his father, Richard, his siblings (John, Patrick, Daniel, Catherine, Michael, and Cecilia), in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many more who were able to experience the wonderfulness of Peter Watson. He was a living lesson in the inherent value of every person. May his joy live on in everyone he touched, and may his love of life never be forgotten.

Peter’s Life Celebration and Visitation will be Wednesday March 19th from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00PM at Gray Funeral Home, 318 E. Broad Street, Westfield. His Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10AM Thursday March 20, 2025 at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 300 Central Avenue, Mountainside, NJ. Funeral services for Peter in Massachusetts will begin at 11:30AM Friday March 21, 2025 with a Funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1945 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA, followed by interment in Notre Dame Cemetery, South Hadley, MA.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Special Olympics: https://support.specialolympics.org/a/donate-one-time-now, or to the ARC of Union County: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/thearcofunioncounty/.