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More than 200 expected at James Watson's funeral, help needed with marquees

More than 200 people are expected to attend James Watson’s funeral on Monday July 4, to be held at Dixie Park Port Douglas (next to St Mary's Chapel) from 10.30am.

Funeral directors are asking for a helping hand with anyone willing to donate a marquee for the day to help accommodate the large gathering and provide some shade for guests. 

Please call Stephen Oldham on 0427 817 772 if you are able to help and to make arrangements Alternatively you can contact Newsport.

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WHEN I heard the news that James Watson had lost his courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease I must confess a little smile came to my face.

Of course I was devastated that I would never again hear my name bellowed across the supermarket, or from across the street as he tried to capture my attention for Newsport or another one of his enthusiastic community crusades.

No, the smile came because I realised he would now be organising a whole raft of new plans and schemes up in Heaven to ensure the gardens were at their best, and all those lacking confidence would soon be A Grade orators as he armed them with his own unique human spirit and confidence.

He will be sadly missed by the whole community through his tireless work across a diverse range of action groups, charities and associations.  In his working career he was an accountant and willingly put that skill to good use for many of the charity organisations in which he immersed himself.

Many will remember his determined, award winning, work when producing a garden haven of tranquillity along Nautilus Street in Port Douglas. His passion for landscape gardening was self taught but even as the Parkinson’s Disease started to ravage his body, his amazing will-power kept him striving to keep the garden as pristine as he could. A shame the council promise to maintain it wasn’t kept to his standards after he finally had to relinquish control, but at least his plaque of achievement will remind those who follow what he once created. It was that passion for perfection that drew people to him to support his many crucial projects.

His love of life, his enthusiasm and his compassion for his fellow man (and women) was undiminished even in his later years. If James asked for help, it would have been a stronger man than me to say no. There was something about James that made you feel good about yourself. I think the old adage that reminds you that you don’t know how much you’ll miss something, or someone, until they are gone seems to fit the bill here.

I feel all the better for having known him and had the privilege to call him a friend. It’s funny, I can’t stop smiling even though I’m sad he has moved on. I can’t wait to see what he has done with the celestial gardens if I’m lucky enough to follow in his path.

James Watson - The Douglas Shire, and I suspect anyone he has ever touched in his life, salute you.

RIP