Howard L. Watts

Howard L. Watts Dundee: Howard L. Watts, age 88, of Dundee, NY passed away suddenly on Sunday February 22, 2026 before breakfast at his favorite eatery. Friends are invited to calling hours from 11:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. Saturday Feb. 28, 2026 at the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee; where his funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon with Pastor Jane Winters officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Dundee. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Weston Presbyterian Church, 510 County Rte 23, Dundee, NY 14837. Howard was born Nov. 25, 1937 in the town of Tyrone, NY, the son of the late Oliver Lee and Carrie A. (Temple) Watts. He graduated from Dundee Central School in 1956. He served six months in the Army Reserves. On Nov. 16, 1957 in Hammondsport, NY he married the former Beverly S. Smith who passed away on Jan. 6, 2009. He worked in the wine industry for 41 years as a vineyard foreman, starting with Gold Seal, Seagrams, Taylor, Vitners, Canandaigua, and finally retiring from Widmers Winery, of Naples, NY on January 1, 2000. Mr. Watts was a member of the Weston Presbyterian Church, and the Lamoka Masonic Lodge #463 F&AM, in Tyrone, NY 14887. He will be remembered as the "The Can Man" for his dedication to collecting cans for 5 different charities. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and woodworking, and loved cutting firewood. He was loved by all, and survived by two daughter Raine L. (Earl) Pratt of Odessa, TX, and Kim L. Gee of Watkins Glen, with whom he was currently making his home; 3 grandchildren Norma Jean (Joe) Gallia of Odessa, TX, Robert Edward (Erica) Gee of Valois, NY, and Michelle (Dave Ball) Schoffner of Beaver Dams, NY; 10 great grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter whom he never got to see; 2 sisters Betty Santee of Potter, NY, Shirlry Muffley of Clifton Springs, NY; and several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, and wife, he was predeceased by 2 brothers Harold L. and Charles Watts; a grandson Francis Howard Pratt, and a son-in-law Rodney Gee. Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.