Obituaries

OBIT: Nikola Atanasov, 77, Owned Plumbing Company for 40 Years, Married for 52 Years

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Nikola Atanasov

Nikola Atanasov, age 77, passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Dragica “Carol” (Lesar) Atanasov, with whom he had shared over 52 wonderful years of marriage. Born in Nov Dojran, Macedonia on February 24, 1948, he was one of eight children to the late George and Magda (Deleva) Atanasov. Nick spent his younger years growing up in Macedonia, and in 1973 he moved to America, but not before he met the love of his life, Carol. The two met when they were both working in Germany, and it didn’t take much time at all for them to fall in love and decide to start building a life together. The first of their two children was born abroad, and when they had everything ready in the states the whole family settled down in Boston. Nick worked at a breakfast and lunch spot in Boston for many years while at the same time working alongside a master plumber in the area. He learned the tricks of the trade and harnessed his skills, and after several years of training branched off and started his own plumbing business. He owned his business, Nick and Sons Plumbing and Heating for over 40 years, and ran it with a tremendous amount of heart. Nick was deeply compassionate and humble, and always felt for his clients who needed his services during difficult times. He was the type of person who would do some work without pay, strictly in the hopes of being able to help someone who might need it. 

Nick’s dedication to his business and work life paled in comparison to his dedication to his family. As a husband, father, and later grandfather, he was truly one of the best. Raising his sons alongside his loving wife was the greatest time of his life, until his grandchildren came along.  From the moment they were born, Nick’s entire world changed, and there was no length he wouldn’t go for them.

Police/Fire

Watertown Fire Department Launching Alternate Pathway to Become Firefighter-Paramedic

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The Watertown Fire Department is hiring firefighter-paramedics, and is starting alternative pathways to be hired. Find out more at an upcoming information session. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. The City of Watertown is launching a new alternative pathway program for qualified and interested individuals to join the Watertown Fire Department (WFD) as a Firefighter-Paramedic. The City is excited to introduce the Local Register program, a newly approved hiring process from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Human Resources Division that will supplement the existing Civil Service examination system.

Around Town

Work This Week on Mt. Auburn St. Includes Drainage Installation, Test Pits

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Expect lane shifts and parking restrictions along the stretches of Mt. Auburn Street this week as construction crews work on drainage installation dig test pits. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. Drainage Installation

Crews will perform drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street between Langdon Avenue and Winthrop Street. Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts

During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will be maintained on Mount Auburn Street.

Entertainment

Small Saves Takes a Sick Day in This Week’s Comic Strip

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James DeMarco grew up in Watertown and became a goaltender at age 5. It’s his life’s passion to stand between the pipes and keep the puck out of the net. Combining this with the love of cartooning Small Saves emerged in 1991 and took on a life of his own. “To play goal – then come home and draw Small Saves — is my ideal definition of a good day.”

Around Town

Menorah Lighting, Fire Dancer, Crafts & More at Chabad Watertown’s Chanukah Celebration

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Arsenal Yards is partnering with Chabad Watertown to put on the fourth annual Chanukah Celebration on Monday, Dec. 15. See details in the announcement from Arsenal Yards. In partnership with Chabad Watertown, please join us for our fourth annual public menorah lighting ceremony and celebration! Featuring a live fire dance performance, crafts, a menorah lighting ceremony, live music, complimentary treats, an interactive light display from Brighter Ignited and more!

Government

Residents Can Apply to Take Part in Citizens’ Legislative Seminar at the State House

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Massachusetts State House (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

State Sen. Will Brownsberger seeks residents interested in learning about the functions of the Massachusetts State Legislature during the upcoming Citizens’ Legislative Seminar at the State House. See more info provided by Brownsberger’s office, below. Senator Brownsberger has the opportunity to nominate one or possibly a few constituents for participation in the 91st Citizens’ Legislative Seminar (CLS) presented by Senate President Karen Spilka. Please let us know if you are interested in being nominated. CLS is a free educational program organized by the Senate. The Spring 2026 CLS Seminar will be taking place on Tuesday, March 24th and Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. 

Nominees from this office must be residents of Senator Brownsberger’s district and be able to attend both days of the seminar. (Non-constituents should contact their own state senator to request nomination.) 

CLS, offered twice a year, aims to better educate the public on the functions of the Massachusetts State Legislature.

Schools

Hosmer School Celebrated 2025-26 Literacy Week with a Theme of “The Power of Words”

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The following piece was provided by Hosmer Elementary School:

On Friday, Dec. 5, Hosmer School proudly concluded its annual Literacy Week, a vibrant celebration of the theme “The Power of Words” held districtwide in Watertown from December 1-5, 2025. The week highlighted how words shape communication, spark imagination, and strengthen community. The guiding message “Words have power. We communicate with our words.

Around Town

Watertown Preschool Hosting Winter Gala Silent Auction

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The following announcement was provided by Russell Cooperative Preschool:

For 50 years, Russell Cooperative Preschool has been a place where young children learn through play, explore nature, and experience the joy of belonging to a caring community. This holiday season, Russell invites current families, alumni, neighbors, and the wider Watertown community to support that mission by participating in its annual Winter Gala Silent Auction, open now through Saturday, December 13th at 8 p.m.

This year’s auction showcases a wide range of local offerings, creative experiences, and one-of-a-kind items donated by current families and area businesses. Highlights include a month of chef-prepared meals, a cozy winter gift basket, a private yoga session, passes to local play spaces, and gift certificates to popular Watertown eateries. Each item reflects the spirit of generosity and connection that has long defined the Russell community. At Russell, children build confidence, independence, and curiosity through hands-on exploration, whether they are mixing paints, climbing snowbanks, planting seeds in the garden or creating imaginative worlds with their friends.