A Job Well Done, Mr. Watson - Thank You
by Bill Gouveia
Some in Norton called him Al. His friends and those who knew him well called him “Nibby.” Still others recognized him as “the veterans cemetery guy.”
Some in Norton called him Al. His friends and those who knew him well called him “Nibby.” Still others recognized him as “the veterans cemetery guy.”
To me, he was always simply Mr. Watson.
Albert Watson passed away at his Norton home last week at the age of 92. He leaves behind a large family, and an amazing record of service to his fellow veterans and his community.
He lived his entire life in Norton, except for his time in the military. He left high school to enlist in the Navy and served during World War II, but later got his high school diploma. He was married to his wife Barbara for 54 years before she passed away in 2003, and together they were always working for Norton veterans.
Al Watson performed a very important service for Norton. For 62 years, he was the town’s graves officer. He learned the importance of this position from his father, who held the post before him.
For those who don’t know what that is, Al Watson made sure every veteran buried in the Town of Norton had a plaque honoring their service at their grave.
He even personally engraved many of the flag-holders that marked the final resting spots. And twice each year — on Memorial Day and Veterans Day — he made absolutely sure every veteran’s grave had American flags waving proudly so folks knew Norton never forgets.
Mr. Watson did this with a determined focus and unshakable will. He was a powerful force, and not a shy individual when it came to getting things done that he deemed important.
He almost always had a smile on his face, but woe to the poor individual who mistook that smile to mean he was easily appeased or distracted. Al Watson was one tough guy, as I witnessed first-hand on more than one occasion.
One year when I was running for office, I was talking to Mr. Watson as I stood in the driveway of the Yelle School greeting voters. He lived next door, and would often come out and chat with me — which meant he talked, and I listened.
This particular time he pointed out the flag flying in front of that school, and how it had a small rip in it. He told me in great detail how that was unacceptable.
He remarked how the school superintendent controlled this, and said he would have a talk with her. I nodded my agreement, and he smiled and walked back inside.
About 30 minutes later, a custodian walked out and took down the flag, replacing it with a brand new one.
You just didn’t mess with Al Watson.
He was a crusty New Englander in every sense of the phrase, and as true a Norton character as there could be. He leaves behind several generations of families who will forever appreciate the extra effort he always made to honor each veteran at their final resting place.
Al Watson will be buried in his hometown today with military honors. He deserves all those honors and more. On behalf of a grateful community, I thank him for his service and a job well done.
Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and a longtime local official. He can be emailed at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook.
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