Gerry McPherson

Gerry McPherson, a resident of Williamsburg for the past 30 years, passed away suddenly at home on Jan. 16, 2007. He was 83.
He was born in Williamsburg on Dec. 13, 1923 to his parents Lorne and Ethel McPherson (nee Merkley). He was raised on a dairy farm in Williamsburg. In 1942, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and gave 30 months active service as a wireless operator. After the Second World War, he attended MacDonald College in St. Anne-de-Bellevue and earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.
He married Lois Munro on May 24, 1951 at Winchester Springs Presbyterian Church. They were blessed with two children, Nancy and Paul. Gerry had a 30 - year career as a district manager for Massey Ferguson. His job required moves to several Ontario locations - Kingston, Napanee, Grimsby, Brampton, and Chatham. In 1977 Lois and Gerry returned to their roots in Dundas County where they built a home on the original McPherson family farm in Williamsburg. In July 1982, he started a second career as an interpreter at Upper Canada Village that continued for the next six years.
Active in the community, he was a member of Williamsburg United Church and Williamsburg Legion Branch #538 of the Royal Canadian Legion for many years. In addition, he was a volunteer at the J.W. MacIntosh Senior Support Centre in Williamsburg.
He was predeceased by his wife Lois in 2004. He is survived by his children Nancy (Clark) Stewardson of Hamilton, and Paul (Pat) McPherson of Lindsay; his grandchildren Lindy and Kayleen Stewardson, Stephanie and Mark McPherson; his sister-in-law Marjorie McPherson of Mount Forest; and his nieces Martha Murphy of London and Janet McGhee of Guelph. He was predeceased by his brother Dr. Robert "Hugh" McPherson.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg, on Jan. 18. The funeral service was held at the funeral home on Jan. 19 with Rev. Doug Carnegie officiating, followed by interment at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Chesterville. The pallbearers were Mark McPherson, Gordon Garlough, Bruce Garlough, Hugh Garlough, Dr. Don McGhee, and John Dalrymple. The honourary pallbearers were his granddaughters Lindy, Kayleen, and Stephanie.
Donations to Williamsburg United Church or the J.W. MacIntosh Senior Support Centre would be appreciated by the family.