Jerry Watson Passes

Horseman Jerry Norman Watson, 72, born and raised in Cornish, Maine, passed away at his home on South Hiram Rd. on Thursday, November 17 surrounded by his wife and children

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Jerry (commonly called 'Butch'), was the son of Norman and Nathelene Watson. He grew up in Cornish where he rode horses, played sports, and worked on the family farm. He enlisted in the Navy for six years and loved seeing the world upon the USS F.D. Roosevelt. Upon his discharge in 1964, as a Vietnam Veteran, he returned to his hometown where he started training and driving harness horses.

Jerry's passion has always been his horses, first with riding and breaking horses and then with harness horses. He had a special and unusual ability, just like a horse whisperer, with all animals. Many people called him for help with their animals. He drove mostly problem horses for himself and numerous other horsemen. His first racehorse was a 10-year-old mare that had never raced and he won his first start with her.

Jerry, better known as 'Wild Man' between Delaware and New York, went on to train and drive and had his own stable in New York. He was also an honourary member of the police force there. He returned to Maine when his father got hurt and remained in the family racing business, training and driving harness horses all up and down the east coast. In 1975 once again, he had his own stable and continued racing mainly in New England where he was nick-named 'Joltin' Jerry' by the racing announcers. He continued to train and drive for not only himself but for many horsemen and owners. Jerry continued his passion for harness racing till the time of his death and has accumulated over 500 wins. He was a member of the Maine Harness Horsemen's Association and the United States Trotting Association.

For years he supplied baby pigs for the Fryeburg Fair pig scramble. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He will be greatly missed by his family and all those who knew him from all over the world.

Jerry leaves the love of his life, his wife Cheri, of 35 years; his children and their families, Charles Edward of Rhode Island, Veronica Leslie Lynn Landry and her husband, Thomas Landry of New Hampshire, Candy Lyn Bishop and her partner, Steve Barton of Maine, Jesse James and his wife Dawn Watson of NY, Norman Jerry and his wife Bettina Watson of NY, and Ray Lyn and his wife Karen of New York; two sisters, Diann Perkins and her husband Linwood Perkins, Suzanne Madore and her husband Bernon Madore, and two brothers Nicholas Watson and James Watson, all of Maine. There are 15 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Jerry requested no funeral, but there will be a get-together for family and friends in the spring to be announced at a later date. Arrangement are being handled by Watson, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish.

Please join SC in offering condolences to the family and friends of Jerry Watson.

(meharness.com)