Obituary of Joseph Alexander MacPherson

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our father, grandfather and brother, Joseph "Papa Joe" who passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 7, 2017. Born in Antigonish, he was the son of the late Alex Sam and Mary (Lays) MacPherson. He was employed at StFX University for 42 years before retiring in 2000, and for several years was owner and operator of MacPherson’s Trucking. He was a hardworking family man with a great sense of humour. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. He will be remembered by many for his kindness and generosity. While he will be dearly missed, there is comfort in knowing that he is reunited with his loving wife, his "Queen". He is survived by daughters Anne Marie (Gary) Dobbin, Sharon (Mike) Boyle, Antigonish and Elizabeth (Pierre) Venedam, Pomquet; sons Robert (Pat) Antigonish, Fred (Emily), Mississauga and Joe (Sylvia), Highway 7; brothers Elwin, Harvey (Anne), Jack (Patricia), Doug (Bernadette) of Antigonish, Fr. Gary, St Andrew’s; sisters Mary (David) Labun, Maine and Sr. Jovita, CSM, Halifax; sisters-in-law Jean MacPherson, Antigonish and Diana Bowles, Dunmore; 21 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Edna (DeWolf), brothers Gordie, Sam, R.J., Alex, infant twin sisters Alexandria and Therese, sisters-in-law Margie, Anita, and brother-in-law George. Visitation Thursday 7-9pm, Friday 2-4pm and 7-9pm at MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St., Antigonish. Funeral mass 11AM Saturday, March 11, 2017 in St. Ninian’s Cathedral. Burial at a later date in the parish cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Palliative Care Program or VON Antigonish.