Tom Watts' life is a legacy of hard work, family and excellence.
On Feb. 1, 2025, Watts' family organized a special celebration for his 90th birthday at the Lawn Bowling Club. There was the traditional singing of Happy Birthday, as well as cake and refreshments.
During the celebration, Watts was presented with a perpetual plaque honouring him on his 90th birthday. This plaque will forever honour Tom as it will be presented to the MVP player at the annual Totem tournament.
Tseshaht Elected Chief Councillor Ken Watts, ADSS athletic department director Mike Roberts, basketball coach Neelam Parmar and Watts' family and friends organized to have the special plaque made for Tom Watts in honour of his years of playing basketball at ADSS. It was a perfect gift honouring him with all of his achievements in sports in Port Alberni and beyond.
Tom Watts was born to Tom and Louisa Watts and had two brothers and four sisters.
He was a legendary athlete, winning more than 400 sports awards. He was the first Athlete of the Year at both Glenwood Center Junior High and Alberni District High School and was the first Indigenous player on the ADHS Chieftains basketball team.
In 1962 he received the prestigious Tom Longboat Award, a national honour given annually to one Indigenous athlete across Canada for sportsmanship and leadership. He was also part of the 1965 Alberni Athletic Senior A’s Canadian Men’s Champions and was inducted into the Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) Hall of Fame.
After leaving school, his first job was fishing. His life of hard work continued with more than 60 years of fishing for salmon and 45 years as a longshoreman. He has travelled the world, including sharing his culture in Italy with Leonard George. He enjoys dancing, travelling and has been a member of the local Legion for many years. He has four children: Wallace (Tammy) of Tacoma, Washington, Cynthia (Russell) Rayner, Annie Watts and Betty Watts. He has nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Watts is a beloved grandfather who cherishes special moments with his family, like teaching his grandson Stephen the accordion and dancing with his son Wallace and grandson Gianni at the Big House at Alert Bay.
His family would like to thank the following people for making the plaque a reality: Cynthia Rayner, Annie Watts, Hilda Jacobsen, Neelam Parmar, Mike Roberts, Ken Watts, Billy Beauty Trophies and all his friends and family for their donations.
