Thomas C. Watkins

TWIN MOUNTAIN - Watkins,

Thomas Charles of Twin Mountain, died suddenly in a tragic accident on Monday afternoon, February 2, 2015 in Lancaster. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 16 years Stacey Ann Watkins PhD (Welch), his brother-in-law, Robert L. Welch of Tucson, his nephew and godson James Rowe of Newmarket, sisters Patricia Rowe of Florida and Marguerite Presnall of Texas. He is preceded in death by his brother James Watkins of Dover and sister- in- law Cheryl Welch (Young) of Tucson. He is also survived by his dear friends Jim and Mary Brodeur of Twin Mountain, Denise Chase of Bethlehem, Tyler Gooden of Whitefield,  Maridel Green and Bruce Armstrong of St John, NB, Jeff and Ellen Beals, Raymond and Dorothy O'Leary and Bill and Saadia Miles all of Massachusetts,  and his childhood friend and ice climbing partner John "Gonzo" Metivier.

Tom was born and raised in Dover on the family farm on Knox Marsh Road and attended Dover public schools before entering the military. Tom was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War and was stationed at Yokota Air Force Base in Japan. After being honorably discharged in 1974  he worked heavy construction for 25 years building  power plants, shopping malls, bridges and roads throughout New Hampshire finishing his career with Cianbro Construction in Maine. Tom and Stacey met by sheer chance at a friend's home in Northumberland in 1998 and fell in love at first sight. She left her position as a college professor in Providence, RI and he left his home in Dover in order for them to spend the rest of their lives together in the beautiful White Mountains. They married on September 9, 1999 and were residents of Jefferson for 4 years before becoming the proprietors of the Boulder Motor Court in Twin Mountain, where they have worked tirelessly side by side for the past 11 years.

Tom enjoyed the havoc he caused by being a Yankees fan in the midst of Red Sox nation but was also a hardcore Patriots' fan. How wonderful it was that he was able to see the Pats win the Super Bowl on Sunday, the night before he died. But most people knew Tom best as an avid and expert angler. He could be spotted daily from the 4

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Saturday in April until mid-October in search of the infamous "Walter" at the boat launch at Mirror Lake in Whitefield, Martin Meadows Pond in Lancaster, or behind St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Twin Mountain where he claimed to be "getting religious". He was happiest when casting his line.

My dearest Tommy: Thank you for always making me feel that I was the most important part of your life.  I will forever cherish every moment we had together and may you rest in eternal peace with the full conviction that you are and always will be the love of my life.

A memorial mass with will be held Saturday morning April 25 at 11:00 AM at St. Patrick's Church in Twin Mountain.  Reverend Matthew Mason, pastor, will officiate. Military honors will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund at dana-farber.com or jimmyfund.org.