With great sadness, we would like to inform the St Francis Today community of the passing of former editor Colin ‘Collo” Watt.
Collo had been battling poor health for a long time, and his passing is a thankful release from what he experienced the last few weeks. He can now rest in peace.
Over the last couple of years, Collo and I became good friends, which became even stronger when I took over his business, and he taught me the dark art of how to publish St Francis Today, on time, every weekday.
The act of Collo trying to teach a stubborn, fairly incompetent tech person like me was challenging, frustrating, and often hilarious for both of us. Over 20 hours, 2 hours a day for two weeks, we would sit side by side, and I would try and glean, and he would try and impart, with mixed results.
Some days we would simply give up on the tutorials, and drift off into uproarious conversation, about strange people, about wild past adventures, our friends and St Francis Bay. We would revert to drinking coffee, eating biscuits and talking the biggest load of crap for the entire two hours, solving the world’s problems with alternate rushes of caffeine and sugar.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t solve the ever-increasing problem of Colin’s poor health. So when those two weeks were over, we did most of our business talk over the phone as his condition deteriorated.
Collo was a clever guy, sharp of wit, with a sparkling sense of humour, and had absolutely zero inclination to suffer fools. He could alternatively be brusque, charming, bubbly, cantankerous and endearing, but he was always loyal and dependable for those who knew him well. Despite his condition, he was always up for a beer or two and a few laughs. He loved being around people.
He was always a phone call away, and I have many voice mails and WhatsApp messages on my phone, and that’s what I am going to struggle with the most. Whether it was a tech issue, or just a random chat, or an invite around for a quick beer, he was always just a phone call away.
He was one of few people on my speed dial.
As a matter of fact, he still is.
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*St Francis Today and The Full Stop will be having a few drinks and snacks to celebrate the life of Colin Watt when the season is over. Collo’s regular night at the Fully was a Tuesday with Piggy and Jeff, so we will plan a Tuesday night fairly soon after the season when we can come together and have a few mellow drinks to celebrate the life of our friend. We will announce a date soon. If anyone has any photos of Collo, please mail them to news@stfrancistoday.com.dedi358.cpt4.host-h.net If anyone would like to post a few words about Colin for St Francis Today, please do so in comments, or post to the same email address. We would love to see pics and stories.
What a beautifully written and perfectly apt tribute to a multi-faceted gentleman. He will be missed, but we can take comfort knowing that he is now free from the pain that frustrated him so. Fly high Collo.
Colin created my first website waaaay back. He understood exactly what I wanted, which was a miracle, as I hadn’t a clue.
I am so sorry to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace.
Oh how very sad,thanks for keeping us in the no.
So sad but happy release as we chatted and he was due to lose feet. Thank God his suffering over and so many will miss him along with Sea Vista pets who he loved. No more pain or worries, RIP xxx
It was not my pleasure to have met Colin in person save for one telephone conversation regarding advertising. After this it felt as though I had known him for a long time and often thought it would be great to meet him in person over a beer; regrettably this will not happen. He obviously enjoyed his work and if possible my wife and I never missed reading St Francis Today. Congratulations on a well written piece about your friendship with him and thank you for letting us know of his passing. Kind regards, Anne and Edward Hurr- (Rivertide)
We are all so sad to hear of Colin’s passing. However he was in a great deal of pain and had suffered badly for a long time, so this was indeed a merciful release for him. It was a pleasure to have known him and worked with him and I will always remember him for his intellect, generosity, good heart and humour. Sincere condolences to his friends and family. RIP Collo!
Colin made a very positive impact on St Francis over the last ten years that I have known him, and will be much missed. Very sad news.
I’m so sorry to hear about Colin but I know he was struggling pain and ill health for quite some time. I never missed reading the St Francis Today which he published faithfully even when it became so difficult for him. RIP Collo.
We will miss seeing Colin in and around SFB, at all the different events but know that he is at peace now with all that he had been going through for a long time. Lots of love to Ian & Dawn and his family