Bless your sweet soul Chris
donated £10 in memory of Chris
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Chris Watling (6 Jul 1950 - 1 Oct 2024)
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Chris Watling Sadly passed away on Tuesday 1st October aged 74, after battling Lung Fibrosis for some time.
He will be deeply missed by family and friends, but remembered with love and laughter.
A little bit about Chris…
He was 74 years old – born in 1950 in Luton - the youngest of 3 ,with an older sister Gill and brother Doug, who is sadly no longer with us. His father sadly passed away when he was 6 and then his mother remarried to John Watling some years later – which is when he took his surname. His father’s surname was Martin.
Chris went to school Luton Boys Grammar senior school. He met his ex-wife Val in 1968 at a party and they got married in 1972 in Harpenden Allsaints Church. In November 1972 they went on a trip to Africa for 3-4 months where they lived in a truck and tents shared with other travellers – but were deported from South Africa in February 1973! They had a dog called Suzie. They had 2 children in 1978 and 1981 – Paul & Julianne.
They moved to Southampton in 1976 for Chris' job at SOS Recruitment and he then opened his own recruitment company called Southampton Personnel, with business partner Pete Stephenson, in August 1978 – a week after Paul was born!
Chris & Val bought a big pink house in Bursledon in 1981 called Glencoe Cottage and this was their family home for many years. They had 2 holiday homes over the years in Lanzarote and Cyprus, where they spent many family holidays.
Chris met his current partner Marg in 1990 and they then lived together for the past 30 years at their home in Netley Abbey. Marg has 2 children called Chris and Jo and grandson Louie. Chris lived with Chris and Jo for many of the years that he shared a home with Marg.
Chris was always been a keen walker, runner and cyclist – having completed the London Marathon twice and many other half marathons and Great South Runs. He always had classic cars and motorbikes and a love for music, Indian food, travelling, gardening and being outdoors. His favourite artist was Paul McCartney. Chris spent many hours at music gigs and festivals and in more recent years travelling around in his VW Campervan.
Chris has a real love of life and his parting wish was for everyone to 'live life to the full everyday, because you do not know what's around the corner.' Please join us to celebrate our beloved father, grandfather and partner.
The funeral service will take place at
Wessex Vale Crematorium, Bubb Lane,
West End, SO30 2HL
on Tuesday 22nd October at 1.00 pm,
with a celebration to follow at
The Stage Door and The Painted Wagon,
West Marlands Rd, Southampton, SO14 7FW.
The live stream Webcast of the service can be
viewed live and will be available to be viewed
for up to 28 days following the service
Website: https://watch.obitus.com
Username: cuwo1416
Password: 420505
Family flowers only please, but donations are
being accepted on behalf of ‘Mountbatten Hampshire’
and can be made online via this page
or can be sent
c/o J. Lawrence & Sons (Undertakers) Ltd.,
17 St. Denys Road, Portswood,
Southampton, SO17 2GN
donated £15 in memory of Chris
In loving memory of Chris
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donated £100 in memory of Chris
Many fantastic memories RIP
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donated £10 in memory of Chris
Thinking of you Julianne and all of the family
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is attending the funeral
donated £40 in memory of Chris
An exceptional guy. Great memories of his enthusiasm, fun and wit.
RIP Chris
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lit a candle
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What can I say about my mate Chris. He came to visit me when I lived in far flung places like the Fiji islands California and Jamaica he was a mate and lived a full life and liked to travel so I was lucky that he chose to spend time with me when I lived overseas.
I returned to the Uk in 2015 after I had suffered a major mental health breakdown I was in dire straits but very fortunate that I had great friends in the extended Watling family who made it their job to look after me and did a wonderful job of it I will never be able to repay the love and care that they gave me at that time when I was almost out for the count!
Chris made it his mission to make sure that I applied for all of the benefits and entitlements that I was owed and due. He took me to doctor appointments social security interviews and helped me find accommodation I was at the time completely unable to fend for and do this myself Chris Watling stepped up and in for me.
I was very lucky to have Chris as a friend often in life one has friends or at least thinks that they have a friend but that friendship is never really tested so your never really certain of that friendship. When the chips were down Chris stood up! He was a wonderful friend.
I shall miss Chris and our discussions on music and the best Indian restaurants I shall miss the emails being forwarded and his fine sense of humour most of all I will just miss my wonderful mate Chris.
Until we meet again Chris keep rocking mate.
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posted a picture
Just another puncture!
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is attending the funeral
wrote
Chris,
You and I go back 60 years when we first became the best of friends working in the lab at Vauxhall. During that 60 years, apart from when we either of us were overseas on various ventures, I don't think there was any week where we didn't meet or talk on the phone. We had so many things in common. Your love of life, love of music and your unique sense of humour were legendary. I'm going to miss you so much mate. My heart-felt condolences and love to all of your family. Rest in peace man.
Geoff
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donated £30 in memory of Chris
Thank you for being part of my life Chris. You will be very sadly missed and left a handprint on so many hearts. Thinking of all your family at this time xx
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donated £50 in memory of Chris
Remembering my lovely dad and all he gave to us. Missing him more than words and thinking of him every minute. Rest in Peace now. Loving you always from all of us. Julianne, Jason, Albie, Ernie & Eric xxx
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donated £30 in memory of Chris
A wonderful person with a great love for live music is how I remember Chris best. Hope there are plenty of live gigs for him up there - Bruce will be waiting for him. Lyn and Ken x
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donated £50 in memory of Chris
In memory of a thoughtful friend since 1967 when we met at Luton College, so many happy memories and laughs in the subsequent years. Highlights? C2C walk 2010 from St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay with 30 minutes of rain in 13 days' walking - stands out. Music gigs - Small Fakers, Limehouse Lizzy, Buxton Blues Festival - all good fun. Going to miss you Chris - love to all the family.
Mac & Caroline x
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donated £20 in memory of Chris
One of the GREATS who always SMILED EASILY
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donated £50 in memory of Chris
A tribute to Chris, a dear friend whom I’ll always remember with a smile and a laugh. Love to all his family
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is attending the funeral
donated £40 in memory of Chris
Ride the sky, CW.
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donated £20 in memory of Chris
Top bloke.rest in peace chris
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donated £20 in memory of Chris
God bless Chris. A true gentleman
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Just another puncture!
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