James Birger Watson, of Queensland, Nova Scotia, Canada, died from complications of pneumonia Nov. 26. He was born in Damariscotta in 1949, the eldest son of James E. and Anna (Olsen) Watson, and grew up in Edgecomb.
Birg graduated from Lincoln Academy and Unity College. He was a well-known Gaelic tradition bearer and singer and a cultural and political advocate for Gaelic Nova Scotia. In 2016 he was awarded the Bord Na Gaidhlig’s Scottish Gaelic Award for Best Contribution. For over 30 years as the manager of interpretation at the Nova Scotia Highland Village Museum, he worked diligently and strategically to fulfill the museum’s local, national and international mandate, speaking at conferences in Canada and abroad and communicating, through publication, the phenomena of Gaelic renewal in Nova Scotia.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his younger brother, Carl Watson.
Birg is survived by his wife, Marlene Ivey; children, Colin (Andrea) and their son, James Michael Angus Watson, Anna Watson (Christian) and their son, Rayden Watson, Lili Watson, and Angus Watson, all of Nova Scotia; stepmother, Olevia Cable Watson; stepsisters, Ann McFarland (Alden), and Betsy Graves (Sam) and their daughter, Haley Graves of Maine.
A memorial celebration will take place at the Highland Village, Iona, Nova Scotia, Canada at a later date in December.
