HORNELL – Chauncey J. Watches, 90, of Cameron Avenue, entered eternal rest peacefully Thursday (June 15, 2023) at Steuben Center in Bath, after a long illness.
Born in Auburn, NY on Jan. 23, 1933, he was the son of the late James and Marie (Heaton) Watches. On Dec. 31, 1955 he was married at St. Joseph’s Church in Batavia, NY to Joan (Wolcott) Watches, who predeceased him on July 16, 2012, after nearly 57 years of marriage.
After he was born, his family moved to Batavia, NY and in his early schooling he attended St. Joseph’s School prior to his family moving to East Bethany, NY and he graduated from Wyoming Central School. Chauncey received an associate’s degree from Alfred State College.
He proudly served his country with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1952 to his honorable discharge in 1956. He was stationed on the USS Alshain and was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.
Chauncey has resided in Hornell since 1960 and was employed as an agent with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company before he began his 27 year career as a salesman at the former Sears store on Main St. in Hornell.
He was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and was a communicant of St. Ann’s Church in Hornell. Chauncey was also a Fourth degree member of the Hornell Council No. 243, Knights of Columbus and a member of the Arthur H. Cunningham American Legion Post No. 440 in Hornell. Throughout the years he coached Little League and was involved with the Boy Scouts. He especially enjoyed “playing” Santa Claus for several different organizations.
When he attended St. Josephs School in Batavia, he played the bugle for The Mighty St. Joe’s Drum and Bugle Corps. He loved attending Drum and Bugle events his entire life. Chauncey was an avid Bills fan from the beginning, living by the mantra, “wait til next year.”
A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother, he is survived by his eight children, Chauncey (Mary) Watches of Bath, NY, Michael (Joanne) Watches of Cheektowaga, NY, Patricia (Steve) Trentanelli of Andover, NJ, Jeffery (Carol) Watches of Pembroke, MA, Nancy Snyder of Hilton, NY, Gregory (Toni) Watches of Grand Island, NY, Kathleen (Ralph) Gencarelli of Norwalk, CT and Amy (Daniel) Ackerman of Bel Air, MD; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one sister, Claire Marie Falcone of Arizona; one sister-in-law, Mary Fitch of Batavia, NY; as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.
Calling hours are 4-7 p.m. Friday (June 23, 2023) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell. Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at St. Ann’s Church, 31 Erie Ave., Hornell where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday (June 24, 2023), Committal prayers and interment, with military honors, will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Town of Fremont.
The United States flag and the Navy flag will proudly fly at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home in recognition of Chauncey’s military service.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to the Hornell YMCA, 18 Center St., Hornell, NY. 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Chauncey’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Chauncey are welcome at Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
