Alfred "Al" Skinner Watson

His Final Voyage Has Begun

Alfred "Al" Skinner Watson, 72, of Aurora, Colorado, passed away peacefully at home on May 13, 2026, at 7:11 p.m., surrounded by the love of his family. Fittingly, he passed during Wednesday night's Avalanche game — one of the things he most loved sharing with his wife — and the Avs went on to win in overtime, a final thrilling victory that felt like it was won in his honor.

Al was born on April 30, 1954, to Shirley and Alfred Watson. He lived a life defined by curiosity, adventure, service, and deep love for his family.

He proudly served in the United States Navy as a Tradevman Third Class. Al later earned both his Master of Telecommunications and Law Degrees while pursuing a life filled with adventure, travel, sailing, and scuba diving. One of his proudest accomplishments was becoming a scuba instructor and teaching his grandchildren, Colten and Emersyn, to dive.

Al is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Watson; his mother, Shirley Watson Geyer; his daughters, Elizabeth Lacy and Heather Lister, his sisters, Kathy Hollady and April Jacobs, and his cherished grandchildren, Colten Lister, Emersyn Lacy, Peyton Lister, Zoey Lacy, and Wyatt Lister.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors), the Challenge Foundation, Parkinson's Foundation, or Lymphoma Research Foundation.