Obituaries

OBIT: John J. York, 85, Retired Watertown Police Detective

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John J. York

A Mass of Christian Burial for Retired Watertown Detective Sergeant John J. York will be celebrated on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Church of St. Patrick, 212 Main St., Watertown. John “Jack” York was born in Brighton to the late John Joseph York, a retired member of the Watertown Police Department, and Rita (Marion) York. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on January 6, 2026, at the age of 85. Jack is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Patricia (Ambrose) York.

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See How to Reserve Your Spot for the 26th Annual Watertown Unity Breakfast

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World in Watertown is thrilled to invite you to the 26th annual Watertown Unity Breakfast on Jan. 19, 2026 from 8:30-11 a.m. 

Join us in person at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 25 Bigelow Ave., Watertown. Get your ticket at  https://watertownunitybreakfast.eventbrite.com

A hot breakfast from Wicked Bagel will be served at 8:30 a.m. followed by music, roundtable conversations, student essays, and the presentation of the Unity Award. Every year, the community in Watertown, Massachusetts, comes together on Martin Luther King Day to honor his life and civil rights legacy by recommitting to foundational principles of racial, social, and economic justice. 

All ages are welcome to attend the event! The suggested donation for adult attendees is $10-$25.

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Join the Community Read of Works by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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The Community Read: Works by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will take place on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026 at the Watertown Free Public Library. See the announcement provided by the Unity Breakfast organizers. Please join us for a Community Read on Sunday, January 11 from 2:00-3:30 in the MasterangeloRoom of Watertown Public Library. Together we will be reading aloud a work by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and discussing its message and relevance for today.

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Watertown Library Invites Public to Join the Cook the Books Group

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The Watertown Free Public Library. (Courtesy of WFPL)

Cooking enthusiasts are wanted to join the Watertown Free Public Library’s cooking group. See details in the announcement from the Library, below. The 2025 Cook the Books group celebrated a delicious year of recipe swapping with a cookie exchange at the Watertown Free Public Library! 

Once a month, the Cook the Books Group meets in the Library café to share favorite cookbooks, recipes, and food. Members share cooking tips and tricks while bonding over great food and great company.

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Results of Youth Risk Behavior Survey to be Presented at Watertown Youth Wellness Community Forum

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The results of the latest Youth Risk Behavior Survey will be discussed at a community forum hosted by the Watertown Youth Coalition and the Watertown Public Schools. The Watertown Youth Wellness Community Forum will be held on Thursday, Jan. 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Learning Commons at Lowell Elementary School, 123 Lowell Ave. The announcement from the Watertown Youth Coalition said:

“We will present and discuss the findings from the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and work together to explore how data relates to: Youth Belonging, Youth Connections with Trusted Adults, Youth Perception of Substance Use Prevelance.” Light refreshments will be served.

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See How to Dispose of Your Christmas Tree

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Watertown residents can put their Christmas trees out for pickup through Jan. 19. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below. The Department of Public Works (DPW) will be picking up Christmas trees through the week of Monday, January 19, 2026. To ensure your tree is collected, remove all ornaments, lights, and decorations and place it on the curb on your designated trash and recycling day.

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Department of Public Works Releases Trash & Recycling Calendar for 2026

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Details of the trash, recycling, and yard waste collection for 2026 are available in the Department of Public Works’ calendar. The calendars were mailed to homes and are available online. See details in the announcement sent out by the City of Watertown, below. 2026 Trash and Recycling Calendars

Please be aware that the 2026 Trash and Recycling Calendar will be arriving in your mailbox soon. In addition to the calendar showing which days your trash, recycling and yard waste will be picked up, there is also useful information about composting, how to dispose of mattresses, furniture, clothing and TVs, the hours and location of the Recycle Center and what you can bring there, and a guide to what materials are and are not recyclable.