JAMES CHARLES MCPHERSON

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JAMES CHARLES MCPHERSON November 8, 1925 - October 11, 2014 Surrounded by his family who were sharing both tears and happy memories, our precious father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, October 11 at the Abbotsford Hospital. Our Dad was born to John and Christian McPherson in Winnipeg, where he grew up in Fort Rouge and attended Lord Roberts and Kelvin High School. He went on to study at the University of Manitoba before serving in the Canadian Armed Forces in The Second World War. In 1947, he began his career at the Insurers Advisory Organization, where he met the love of his life, Patricia Muller, whom he was honoured to marry on October 2, 1948. Shortly thereafter, they started their family who they were so proud of. Dad was an active member of Riverview United Church and President of Riverview Community Centre, where we spent many hours. He was a lifetime member of The Millennium Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite and The Khartum Shriners/Drum and Bugle Corps. In 1972, he accepted a transfer to Vancouver where he worked as the regional manager until his retirement in 1987. Hardy Crescent in North Vancouver was their new home where they made many friends throughout the years. He and Mom were very fortunate to travel to destinations including Barbados, Hawaii, Switzerland, and most importantly Scotland. Dad also made countless trips to Kelowna and Winnipeg over the years to be a part of many of our special occasions. He was always very independent and was happy to stay in his house in North Vancouver until recently moving to the Primrose Gardens in Abbotsford. Dad possessed many wonderful qualities, which we all aspire to achieve. He was loving, patient, kind, honourable, had the biggest smile and was generous beyond words to his family and many charities. He remained physically fit and enjoyed skating well into his 80's. He was the smartest man that we knew and could answer any question we asked on topics from history to entertainment. Dad loved his Scottish heritage, watching all kinds of sports, keeping up on the news, but nothing was more important to him than his ever-growing family. He was a great parent and role model and we can only hope we are as good of a person as he was. Dad was predeceased by our beloved Mother and, after 14 years, they are finally together again. Left to mourn his loss are his four children: Shelagh (Jim), Marilyn (Frank), Joan, and Jim (Lynne), his Grandchildren: Alison (Tom), Natasha (Mike), Kristen (Mark), Riley, Chelsea (Stavros), Andrea, Brett, Jake, Kelly, Jimmy (Kaitlin), and David (Reanna), and Great-grandchildren: Matthew, Ethan, Rachel, Dylan, and Niko. He is also survived by his two sisters, Barbara McGregor and Evelyn Howard, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. Our family wishes to thank the staff at the Abbotsford Hospital for their care and support. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Dad's Life will be held on Saturday November 8, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Henderson's Fraser Valley Funeral Home in Abbotsford. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Amant Foundation or your local children's hospital. "Treasured in our hearts you'll stay, until we meet again some day"

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 18, 2014