John Henry Watson (16 Apr 1946 - 13 Nov 2019)

From all of us. Xx

In memory of a lovely man who will be sorely missed by family and friends.

When I joined The Sporting Life in 1966, John was a colleague with whom I had an instant affinity. It did not matter how busy John might have been at any given time, he would always find time to talk to me, especially about our beloved Arsenal. If John was a TV programme, it would be entitled: Gentleman, Gentleman, Gentleman. That best sums up John in one word, or maybe three. I recall some of the lyrics from Marvin Gaye’s 1968 hit Abraham, Martin and John…” Has anybody here, seen my old friend John; can you tell me where he's gone; he freed a lot of people, but it seems the good die young; I just looked around.. and he was gone.” John most certainly was a good one who has left us too soon. RIP, John

With much love x

Glad to have worked with such a wonderful colleague and a true gent. John Henry will be greatly missed.

So sad to learn of John's passing.

So sorry to learn of John's passing. Some wonderful memories of a clever, fun, and supportive colleague. Deepest condolences to all John's family and close friends.

John was a great friend to so many people. Nothing was ever too much for him. In his role as Production Editor he helped turn around the fortunes of The Sporting Life. He was a great friend and I will miss him greatly.
Mike and Janetta.

I first met John through Charlie Maskey when Charlie was FoC and John was his deputy at The Life. John was the voice of reason. Their efforts achieved considerable salary increases for The Life Staff. When I became Editor of The Life in the mid-1980s I appointed John Production Editor, among several other changes. The Life was making huge losses, due largely to late 'off stone' times. I worked closely with John to turn around the losses to considerable profits. John could turn his hands to most things. Nothing was too much trouble. He'd go out of his way to help anyone. We became good friends and remained so when I left The Life as MGN Managing Editor of The Life in 1993 to create WSP and John became Production Editor for the Mirror Group when The Life closed down. John was one of the most liked and respected Fleet Street characters I'd ever come across. We met for lunch in London at least every Christmas with other Life characters to reminisce about the 'Good Old Days,' It was a highlight of my year. My wife, Janetta, and I met John and Hilary for lunch in August. Despite the fact that John was clearly suffering considerable pain we laughed almost non-stop. I feel privileged to have known and worked with John and I thank him for all he did for me and for so many other people. I wish Hilary and her close-knit family all the very best for the future. John was special to me and I will never forget him.
Mike Gallemore, former Editor of The Sporting Life.

You'll be missed by us all Henry, it was like having a big brother in the office when I started on The Life and you were always there with advice and a smile. As I told you when you retired, it was always a pleasure working with you and I hoped to emulate as many of your traits as I could. RIP

Broadsword calling Danny Boy!!
Dear John, the joker of the group, always with a quick quip to keep us amused.
A very dear friend who will always be missed.
Remember - Once a FOG always a FOG!!
Love from Paul, Peter & Garry xxx

Broadsword calling Danny Boy!!
Dear John, a very dear friend who will always be missed.
Remember - Once a FOG always a FOG!!
Love form Paul, Peter & Garry xxx

Always smiling, always happy and one of the true "good eggs" from my Sporting Life days. A smashing bloke all round.

Please forgive me John: I said I would be there come what may, but I did not show because of a severe cold. What am I saying! You are the most forgiving man I have ever know. You will always be with us.
Sid

The equine John Henry was a legend and so were you old mate. The pain has gone - RIP and thanks for the memories.

With love Sheila & Joy

Sending love to you all x

I'm so sorry to hear the news. John was one of the first friendly faces I saw when I joined the Sporting Life as a 15- year-old in the early 1960s and he never changed despite his climb up the company ladder. Believe me, that was rare.

In memory of John xxx

In Memory of a Kind and Generous Man. He will be remembered with Love and affection by us All.

RIP John thank you for the joy and happiness that you brought into the world.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this immensely sad and difficult time. Mark, Jacqui & Jamie xx.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad and difficult time.

When I joined The Sporting Life in September 1966, John's cheery face and nature was one of the first to both greet me and make me feel part of the team - a team I was fortunate to be part of until the paper's closure in 1998. I maintained close contact with John when I worked for the Sunday Mirror sports desk on Saturdays, when John was working on the desk responsible for sending pages to the printers, when, as ever, he was the epitome of helpfulness. Everyone knows about a certain newspaper's Page 3 vital statistics, but for valuable information John's version of Page 2 was much better!
Rest in peace, John.

Gone far too soon; John was one of the good guys, always so patient and unfailingly polite. He will be missed.

Will miss you pops, taken too soon, love you always and forever, love win xx

Will miss you pops, great to have known you, lots of love rest in peace until we meet again xx

Fly away with the angels Jonn we have shared so many happy memories rest in peace.