Obituary of Gerard William MacPherson

MacPherson, Gerard William "Gerry", 81, of Truro passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 26th, 2014 in Colchester Regional Hospital, Truro after a long battle with cancer. Born in Upper South River, he was the son of the late John V. and Maggie Alice (MacDonald) MacPherson. Gerry graduated from St. Andrews School, St. Francis Xavier University, then from Provincial Normal College in 1952. He began his teaching career at Frasers Mills School; then Robert Leckie School in Goose Bay, Labrador where he also coached basketball. He then returned to Antigonish where he was principal of St. Andrews School. In 1961 he moved to the north where he taught in Inuvik from 1961-1970, then in Frobisher Bay (now Iqaluit, Nunavut) from 1970-1983. After retiring from teaching he returned to Springfield for a while and volunteered teaching in Prince George and Kiribati (Central Pacific). In 1988 he began a second career as a drug and alcohol counselor for NS Drug Dependency in Guysborough. One of his biggest passions and reward was being an active member of AA for almost 30 years. He returned to Truro in 1999, where he became an avid golfer and continued in pursuit of excellence in playing bridge. He also continued to be active in the community volunteering for various organizations. Surviving are sons Ian (Sharon), Oromocto, NB; Brian, Fredericton, NB; daughters Sheila (Bryan Manson) MacPherson, Yellowknife, NWT; Lisa (Vince) Marsh, Ottawa, ON; former wife Sanderine MacPherson, Ottawa, ON; sisters Sr. Sarah MacPherson CSM, Bertha Ronan, Tonawanda, NY; brothers John Roderick, Bowmanville, ON; Angus, Upper South River; grandchildren Joe, Sara, Darren, Kevin and Shiri; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by sisters Alice Mary DeWolfe, Peggy MacDonald, Katherine MacLeod, and brother Hugh Donald. Visitation 2pm-4pm and 7pm-9pm Wednesday in MacIsaac Funeral Home, 61 Pleasant St. Antigonish. Funeral is at 2pm on Thursday in St. Andrews Church, St. Andrews. Rev. Charles Cameron presiding. Burial in the South River Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.