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Jake Watson, 31
Filmmaker
Jake Watson, 31, of Astoria, N.Y., died on Jan. 17.
He was born James McLeod Watson Harrah in Toledo, Ohio, on Dec. 28, 1976, the son of Wendy Watson, children’s book author and illustrator, and Michael Harrah, singer, author and actor.
Jake spent most of his childhood in rural Vermont. He later moved to Boston to attend the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, and spent several years there. He then received a BFA with honors in film from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Jake worked in photography, music, filmmaking, screenwriting and web design. He was interested in film from a very young age, when his father introduced him to the works of Alfred Hitchcock, and filmmaking became Jake’s greatest passion. He completed his first film, “The Begrouched One,” at the age of 10. At the time of his death, he had completed his 12th film, “Two Days,” and had begun work on a feature-length film, tentatively titled “Hagridden.” Jake wrote all of his own scripts, and created the music and lyrics for many of his films as well.
Jake continued a long family tradition of artistry. His great-grandfather, Ernest W. Watson, was an artist, author and co-founder of Watson-Guptill Publications; his great-grandmother, Eva A. Watson, was a painter and printmaker; his grandfather, Aldren A. Watson, is an artist and author; his grandmother, Nancy D. Watson, was an author and poet; his sister, Mary Harrah, is a professional violist; and many of his aunts, uncles and cousins also work in creative fields.
Jake loved cooking and baking. He was a master of storytelling and wrote with intelligence and wit. His family will miss him very much.
He is survived by his partner, Oliver Andrew Wells, of New York City; his mother, Wendy Watson, of Brattleboro, Vt.; his father and stepmother, Michael Harrah and Jane Spencer, of Philadelphia, Pa.; sister Mary Harrah, of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandfather Aldren A. Watson, of North Hartland, Vt.; aunts Roberta Harrah, of Louisville, Ky., Clyde Watson, of Hanover, N.H., Linda Watson, of Monkton, Vt., Ann Watson, of New Haven, Vt., N. Cameron Keane, of Truro, and Caitlin McLeod, of Felton, Calif.; uncles Peter Watson, of Avon, N.Y., and Thomas A.D. Watson, of Truro; and many cousins. He also leaves his beloved dog, Abner.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jake’s honor to an animal shelter of your choice.
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Frank Reis Jr., 84
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Feb 28th, 2008