James Lyle Watson Jr.

HUBBARDSTON - James Lyle Watson, Jr. of Hubbardston, MA passed away peacefully August 12, 2026 with his family by his side. James (Jim) is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Shirley (Cloutier-Frateschi) Watson of Hubbardston, MA.

Jim is survived by his children, his son James Watson, III of Derry, NH and his daughter Mila (Watson) Breton and her husband Brian of Chelmsford, MA; his grandchildren Danica Cialone and her husband John; Alena Murphy and her husband Ryan; Tyler Watson; Samantha Watson; and his great grandsons Cole and Adam Cialone and looking forward to Baby Murphy. Jim is also survived by his first wife Doris (Lofgren) Zinno.

He also leaves behind Shirley’s children, Peter Frateschi of Lewiston, ME; Brenda Frateschi of Litchfield, ME; Rhonda Frateschi Maddelina and her husband, Anthony Maddelina, of La Quinta, CA; and Marc Frateschi and wife Jamie, of Jamestown, RI; their grandchildren, Conor Drouin, Bailey Drouin, William Lawrence, Brooke Frateschi, and Marc Frateschi Jr; and their great grandsons Landon and Charlie Drouin.

Jim was born in Putnam, CT to James Lyle Watson and Bertha Rae Whipple on December 1, 1935. During his childhood Jim was a member of 4H and spent his time raising Angus cattle. He graduated from Killingly, CT High School and the University of Connecticut with a degree in Animal Husbandry. He served in the United States Navy from 1955-1959 and was stationed in Norman, OK and Brunswick, ME as an Air Traffic Controller. After completing his service, Jim spent his career working for the Federal Aviation Administration in Louisville, KY; Nantucket, MA; Binghamton, NY; and Otis Air Base, Sandwich, MA. He was a member of the Freemasons for over 50 years.

Jim and Shirley enjoyed many incredible trips together around the world – but the place they loved the most was their camp on Davis Pond in Guilford, ME. Jim loved camp life especially “Happy Hour” with his friends and family.

He was an avid skier and was often the first one on the slopes each morning. He spent countless hours carving birds – including creating beautiful, meticulously crafted full-size loons, which he sold and generously gave to his family. Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing and had some incredible stories about the times he spent with his friends hunting for deer in New Hampshire and Maine. For many years he was accompanied by his special companion “Boots,” a black and white springer spaniel. They did everything together.

Jim was blessed with all the time he got to spend with his family, exemplified by the spark in his eyes that he got when he saw his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Services and interment will be on August 20, 2026, at 1 o’clock at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon, MA. 

Arrangements are handled by Kelly Cremation and Funeral Care, 154 Lincoln Street in Worcester. www.kellycremation.com