BERNARD L. WATSON SR. ‘BARNEY’

CAMBRIDGE – Bernard L. “Barney” Watson Sr., 81, died Nov. 13, 2010, in a manner fitting to the way he lived his life, at his home. He was born May 17, 1929, in Cambridge, the youngest son of Georgia D. (Thurston) and Roy C. Watson, and he was raised on the family’s dairy farm. Barney graduated valedictorian from Harmony High School, Class of 1947, and married Clara Burdin in 1950. He and his father owned and operated RC Watson & Son Farm, and for seven years Barney and Clara owned and operated Cambridge Telephone Co. Prior to his full retirement in 1991, Barney had worked work for 20 years at Hartland Tannery. Although Barney was too young to go to war like his brothers, he dedicated his life to serve his community. He was a founding member of Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department and served actively for 60 years. Barney was a special deputy for Somerset County for a time, and in 1991 he was elected as Cambridge’s first selectman and he held that office until March of this year. Between farming and civic responsibilities, Barney always found time to participate in Grange activities, and he was a member of Cambridge Grange and Cambridge Valley Grange for more than 50 years. Barney was also a member of Cambridge Masonic Lodge No. 157 and Maine Antique Tractor Club. Barney was always busy collecting things and puttering around. In his later years, he not only collected and repaired tractors, he took pride in restoring them as well. He had quite a collection totaling six tractors: two Ferguson, two John Deere and two Allis Chalmers. You could see him in the Labor Day parade with “Little Allis,” his Allis Chalmers G that he restored with the help of his daughter and son-in-law. Barney never missed Harmony Free Fair and attended each Labor Day weekend celebration from its inception in 1947. Barney still made time to play cards, attend any community event and go up to camp. He was one of those people who had a way with animals; it didn’t matter if they were farm animals or domestic pets. In fact, their neighbor’s dog decided she no longer liked her house and moved in with Barney and Clara. Barney is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Clara (Burdin), who he never wanted to be too far away from; children, with whom he shared his work ethic, stubbornness and love of tractors, including sons, Arthur and his wife, Phyllis, Bernard Jr. “BJ” and his wife, Gail, and Michael and his companion, Lynda, and daughter, Anette Campbell and her husband, Kenneth; the “Harmonyites,” with whom he enjoyed playing 73; three grandchildren he kept busy with go-buggies and trips to Hatch Place, Christopher Reeks, Jana Watson and her companion, Carey Bemis, and Stephanie Stewart and her husband, Rob; great-grandchildren, Kristen, Megan, Lauren and Damian, who kept him active with their daily visits; stepgrandsons, Matthew Straniero and his wife, Jennifer, and Eric Straniero and his companion, Harmony; brother, Richard Watson and his wife, Lenora; sisters-in-law, Emma Watson, Juanita Watson and Hazel Chadbourne; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; infant son, Henry; and three brothers, D. Carl Watson, Kenneth Watson and Hugh Watson. Barney’s family extends their deepest gratitude to Dr. Alicia Forster, the staff at Skowhegan Family Medicine, Redington-Fairview General Hospital special care unit nurses, and the many ambulance attendants, emergency medical technicians and paramedics with Harmony Regional Ambulance Service. A graveside service and Masonic Rite will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Cambridge, with refreshments and fellowship at Cambridge Town Office immediately after. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Cambridge Baptist Church, P.O. Box 40, Cambridge, ME 04923. However, if you are not able to donate there, consider making a donation to Harmony Regional Ambulance Service, care of Onie Lougee, P.O. Box 3, Harmony, ME 04942. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home, 18 River Road, Bingham.