100-year-old veteran Gardner Watts beloved in Suffern
At the age of 100, World War II veteran Gardner Watts is still constantly on-the-go, and he has become a fixture in the village of Suffern. For 36 years, he was a history teacher at Suffern High School,
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Aug 25, 2014, 2:06 AM
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Updated 3,667 days ago
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At the age of 100, World War II veteran Gardner Watts is still constantly on-the-go, and he has become a fixture in the village of Suffern.
For 36 years, he was a history teacher at Suffern High School, winning the Fullbright Education Award.
His name, and the name of his wife of 64 years, Josephine, are etched in the WWII memorial in Suffern for their service during the war.
Watts and his wife wed in 1942 at the height of the war. Just days later, he was drafted. Josephine, a college student at the time, then enlisted in the in the army to work in military intelligence.
She died in 2006.
"We just did everything together," Watts told News 12. "We had a very happy life together."
After he turned 100 in April, the village threw him three celebrations in his honor.
When asked what he is most proud of in his century of life, Watts points to his Fullbright award, creating the Historical Hikers Club and his 64-year marriage.
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