Obituary of Gary MacPherson

John Gary MacPherson, 70, of Bedford, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 in the Halifax Infirmary with his family by his side. Born in New Glasgow on January 1, 1941,Gary was the son of the late Earl and Winifred (Bowdidge) MacPherson. While attending school in New Glasgow, Gary was a Sea Cadet, a member of the tumbling team, the hockey team and taught swimming at Melmerby Beach. He was the first Junior Commodore of the Royal William Yacht Club, Pictou Landing and during his Grade 12 year was voted "most popular". After graduation from New Glasgow High School, Gary moved to Halifax where he began his career in Advertising and Marketing. Gary was Advertising Manager for the T. Eaton Company; Vice President of the Atlantic Association of Broadcasters; Director of Advertising for Eastern Provincial Airways; Executive Assistant to the President of Newfoundland Capital; Vice-President and General Manager of Air Maritime, introducing the first non-smoking flight in Canada. He retired as Director of the Office of Nova Scotia in New England in 2002. Gary was also past president of the Halifax Advertising and Sales Club. He was one of the founding members (along with Harvey Webber) of Junior Achievement Halifax. Gary enjoyed boating, photography, music and cooking. He was a positive, energetic, dynamic man who adored his wife, children, and granddaughter. He enthusiastically supported them in all of their adventures. His granddaughter, Abby, was the joy of his life. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn (MacGillivray), Bedford; his son Jeffrey, USA; his daughter, Allison (Borden) Mosher, Dartmouth; and his only granddaughter Abby MacPherson Mosher. Also surviving are his brothers; Tom, Richard and Clary, and his sister, Arlene Smith; brothers-in-law, Robert (Chris), George (Audrey) and Scott (Marilyn) MacGillivray; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Gary was predeceased by his parents and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Doreen MacGillivray. Visitations were held Friday, December 30th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Eagles Funeral Home, Westville. His funeral was held 11 a.m. Saturday December 31 from Trinity United Church, Temperance Street, New Glasgow, with the Rev. Jim Shaffner officiating. Burial was held in Birch Hill Cemetery. Family flowers only. Donations in Gary’s memory may be made to the Heart Function Clinic, c/o QEII Foundation, 1276 South Park Street, Room 1-040 Centennial Bldg., Halifax, NS, B3H 2Y9 "I am ready to meet my maker, but whether my maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter" ~ Winston Churchill ~