Watkins

Gary Watkins, 57, of New Castle passed away Friday after an extended illness.

He was a member of Mary, Mother of Hope Parish and also a member and past exulted ruler of the B.P.O. Elks Lodge 69.

He was born March 2, 1955, to Robert and Delores O’Leary Watkins. His mother survives him, as do his two children, Erin and Connor Watkins, and his two half-brothers, Robert and Jack Watkins.

Graduating from New Castle Senior High School in 1973, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Clarion University and embarked on a teaching career that took him to Deposit, N.Y., and East Stroudsburg, Pa., before settling at the Seneca Valley School District. An inspirational figure to his children and students, he always elicited the best from them.

He developed a love of literature and theater at an early age that he nurtured throughout his life and for which he received many accolades and much deserved recognition. But his greatest role was that he performed in the scenes of his own life in which he played all parts, teacher, actor, director, playwright, son, father and a friend.

In addition to his mother, daughter and son, Gary is survived by his aunt and uncle, Edward and Jeanne O’Leary of New Castle.

WATKINS — Visitation for Gary Watkins, who died Friday, June 1, 2012, will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Ed and Don DeCarbo Funeral Home and Crematory, 3000 Wilmington Road, New Castle.

A procession will leave the funeral home at 8:30 a.m. Monday for St. Mary’s Church, Mary, Mother of Hope Parish 124 N. Beaver St., New Castle, where a Mass of Christian burial will be conducted at 9 a.m. The Rev. Victor Molka will officiate.

Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Obituary may be viewed and online condolences offered at www.decarbofuneralhome.com.