Obituary - Mr. Alexander Hugh Watson

13 July 1948 The Tumut and Adelong Times

As briefly referred to in our last issue, the death occurred at the Tumut District Hospital on Thursday last, July 8, of Mr. Alexander Hugh Watson, of Gocup. 

The late Mr. Watson was born at Gocup on December 7, 1865, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Stephen Watson.

He spent his early life droving and shearing, and thus had travelled practically the whole of New South Wales and Victoria. 

Fifty-one years ago he married Miss Margaret Ann McConmick, of Meadow Creek, and the young couple took up residence on the area he had previously selected at Gocup. Here they made their home.

Besides following his usual occupations he was employed for a period of thirteen years by the late Mr. and Mrs. Colyer at "Gocup House''.

Some nine years ago Mr. Watson contracted influenza in a severe form, which left a weakened heart as an aftermath. 

He was a patient in the Tumut District Hospital for a month receiving treatment at that time and since then he has been visited regularly by Dr. Harbison. 

On Wednesday morning he was brought into hospital by the ambulance and passed peacefully away shortly after on Thursday. 

During his illness Mr. Watson was, tenderly cared for by his wife and daughters Sarah, whilst Rev. Fr. Commins paid him weekly visits administering to his spiritual welfare. 

Besides his wife Mr. Watson is survived by four daughters and one son, viz.: Ellen (Mrs. A. Cameron, Tumut), Margaret (Mrs. J. J. McNamara, Tumut), Mary (Mrs. Jas. Williamson, Windowie), Sarah (Gocup) and Herbert (Wagga).

Three daughters, Jessie, Agnes and Emma, predeceased their father. Mr. and Mrs. Watson reared two grand children, Hugh and Loris (Mrs. 'Dick' Lynch) from birth, and both reside near them at Gocup.

There are also surviving nineteen other grandchildren, two great grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs. Arthur McDonald (Christina) and Miss Martha Watson, both of The Lighthouse, Brungle Road.

The deceased members of the original family are: Marian (Mrs. E.Stockwell), James, Johanna (Mrs. Bob Woodbridge, Fairfield), Janet (Mrs. P. O'Shea, Grahamstown), Margaret (Mrs. T. Eallard, Minjary), William and John.

The funeral left the Catholic Church at 3 p.m. on Friday for the new cemetery, Rev. Fr. Commins officiating at the church and the graveside and Mr. Reg. Baker (for the Estate H. W. Baker) carried out the mortuary arrangements. 

The pall-bearers were Messrs. Herbert Watson (son), Hugh Watson and Jim McNamara (grandsons), J. Williamson and A. Cameron (sons-in-law) and 'Dick' Lynch (grandson-in-law).

Floral tributes were noted from: Loving wife and daughter Sarah; Lorie, Ciss and Arthur; Herbert and Elvie; Maggie, Jim and Son; Marie and Hugh; Bill, Violet and family; Dick, Loris and boys; Fanny, Frank and family (Brisbane) ; Maggie, Bill and family; Mr. and Mrs. F. Hogan and family; Mr, and Mrs. Eric Whiting and family; All at 'Edna'; Eileen, Jim and family; Laura, Stan and Frank; Morrie and Tiny Hillier; Mr. and Mrs. G. Williamson; Mr. and Mrs. C. Rees; Mr. and Mrs. F. W. Smart; Mrs. H. W. Maker and family; Ivy and Jack McBride and Tom Hillier; Jim and Robin; Mary, Jim and family; Mr. and Mrs. Bert McDonald; Mr. and Mrs. T. Young; Ian, Jim and Jill; the Management and Staff Minty's Garage (Wagga); Nell, Bob and grandchildren; Elsie, Billy, Irene and Alex; Allan, Lloyd, Colin and Norman; Harry and Doris Eggleton and family; Mr. and Mrs. G. Johnson and family.