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Obituary: James Richard Watkins

Sat, Feb 16th 2019 07:00 am

Peacefully at home, James Richard (Dick) Watkins entered into eternal rest.

Dick was predeceased by his loving wife Gloria Jenkins Watkins. He was the devoted father of Sandra Watkins, Terri Cicatello Gast (Mike), Danielle Chopra (Paul), and Richard Watkins (Kelly). He was predeceased by daughter Judith Jenkins Bartolotta and Calvin James Jenkins Jr.

He was the awesome grandfather and PaPa to Calvin Jenkins III, Jennifer Jenkins, Skip Bartolotta, Jeanine Fletcher, Judie Lynn Bartolotta, Jason Bartolotta, Jerrid Bartolotta, Brandi O’Banion, Stanley (Trey) Hill, Matthew Cicatello, Nathan Bundscho, Arielle Reed, Gabrielle Reed, Thomas Reed, Cody Busch and Leah Watkins and the late April Salt Cerrillo; great-grandfather of Emily, Daniel, Andrew, Brianna, Sarah, Canon, Brooke, Alexis, Logan, Billy, Connor, Samantha, Amber, Cole, Callee, Isabella and Adrianna; and great-great-grandfather of April Ford and Addison Cerrillo.

Dick and Gloria owned and operated the Square Restaurant on Grand Island Boulevard and the Grand Island Coffee Truck Service. Dick was a founding member and longtime racing enthusiast of the CAN-AM Midget Race Club. He retired from Niagara LaSalle Steel after a long career in hydraulics and engineering.

Dick had a never-ending thirst for knowledge, reading all things history, science, curious and innovative. He both built and resided in his beloved home on Staley Road until the race was over.

Friends may call at Kaiser Funeral Home from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, at St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 2587 Baseline Road, Grand Island.

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