Obituary: Lincoln Arthur Watkins, 92

Mystic Funeral Home

MYSTIC, CT - It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lincoln Arthur Watkins, of Stonington, on Friday March 6, 2020, at the age of “39 and holding” (92 years old).

Linc Watkins, who was known to many as Pa or Puzzy, was born in New York City on November 23, 1927. His parents later relocated to a farm in Ashton, Maryland where he graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in 1945.

He married the love of his life, Annette Edwards, in 1952 and they shared 48 years together until her death in 2000. Both were avid lovers of theater and were active in several local theater groups. They were also great lovers of food and cooking, and exploring many different cuisines from around the world.

After high school Linc enlisted in the US Navy and served in World War II. Following the war, he returned to Maryland to attend and graduate from the University of Maryland with a degree in Physics. He then attended graduate school at Johns Hopkins University and worked at the University’s Applied Physics Lab for 12 years.

In 1963 the Watkins clan relocated to Stonington where Linc embarked on a successful career in designing hovering missile compensation systems for Polaris, Poseidon, and Trident submarines at Electric Boat where he worked until he retired in 1992. Pa was the foundation of a large, devoted family and a welcoming home. He is beloved by his grandchildren for his compassion and wisdom; all remember his comforting presence, after school snacks, and Dutch cocoa cookies. Pa was a frequent visitor to Mystic Middle School where they referred to him as “Saint Lincoln,” due to his endless availability. A dabbler in auto-mechanics, you could often find him spending his afternoons tinkering in his garage…and more recently napping in his recliner.

He will be lovingly remembered by his children and their families: Martin and Leslie Watkins, Janet and Keith Marsden, Carol Breslin and David Holdridge, and Ann Watkins and Randy Shepherd (deceased), as well as grandchildren: Katie, Carrie, and James Breslin; Christine Abreu, Danielle Holdridge, and David Holdridge Jr.; Nathan Watkins-Hoagland and Heather Watkins-Shepherd; great-grandchildren Jayden Bilby and Sophia and Josiah Abreu; nephew Randy Bahjat and niece Megan Leftwich; as well as family by proxy: Freer Willson, Dorry Clay, Dennis Breslin, and Sarah Kessler; and his Lunch Buddies, especially his best friend and reliable transportation Ed Carapezza. Linc was predeceased by his beloved wife Annette, son Edward Watkins, brother Monroe Watkins, his wife Lois, and sister Clarita Bahjat, her husband Khal and their son Andrew Bahjat.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Friends Meetinghouse located at 57 Elm Street, Westerly, RI. The service will follow in the manner of Friends. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in his name to the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society, or Planned Parenthood.