Francis M. Waters Jr.

Francis M. Waters, Jr., known by many of his friends as Don, died at age 86 on July 17, 2005 in Easton, MD. He was born in Springfield, Mass. on July 10, 1919 to the late Francis M., Sr. and Grace Alden Waters. The family moved several times, and he lived in various towns in New York and New Jersey. Mr. Waters received his secondary school education in Mt. Vernon, New York. He enrolled at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., and was graduated from there in 1940 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science. He began his career in New York City in public relations and advertising. At the outbreak of World War II he volunteered for service in the U. S. Army, and became a commissioned officer in the anti-aircraft artillery branch. He was selected as an instructor in that field, and later volunteered for overseas service in the infantry. He was a combat company commander in the Italian Theater until the end of hostilities in Italy, after which he was in charge of a prisoner-of-war camp for German soldiers, voluntarily delaying his return home. Upon his return he resumed his career, working in several large companies in public relations, advertising, marketing, opinion research and management consulting. He was recalled to active duty with the Army during the Korean War and served in Army headquarters at the Pentagon in Washington. He later began his own company, Don Waters & Associates, and served a varied roster of clients in southern Connecticut. He also worked for several years as the editor of the Business Digest magazine in southwestern Connecticut. Our father enjoyed spending time with and keeping in touch with family members throughout the country, as well as reading, traveling, shell collecting, photography and movies at home. In his retirement Mr. Waters taught several classes in his field at the Western Connecticut State University, and volunteered extensively for various non-profit agencies, most recently for the SCORE chapter for western Connecticut in Brookfield, Conn. This organization’s members are retired business executives who donate their time to advising small business clients on various aspects of their business: starting a business, improving one or expanding one. During his time at SCORE Mr. Waters counseled hundreds of small business owners, and served as the chapter chairman for three years. In 2002 he moved from his home of more than 45 years in Ridgefield, Conn., to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where he settled in the town of Easton. He enjoyed the towns and countryside of Talbot County, and the Chesapeake Bay, and, in particular, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Mr. Waters was predeceased by his wife Marilyn Graham Waters in 1988 and by his twin sister Harriet in 1921. Surviving are his four sons: Christopher of Tucson, Az., Timothy of Orange, Calif., Jeffrey of Summerville, S.C. and Kevin of Fancy Gap, Va.; his daughter Elizabeth Edwards of Danbury, Conn.; their spouses, and nine grandchildren. Also surviving him are his long-time companion Alyce Waters Varney and his brother William. Funeral services will be held privately Saturday, June 23. Donations in Mr. Waters’ memory may be made to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Navy Point, P.O. Box 636, St. Michaels, MD 21663, or to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., Easton, MD.