John A. McPherson Jr.

Douglas- John A. McPherson Jr., 65, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his adoring wife of 46 years, Lorraine L. (Begin) McPherson.

            He is also survived by 3 children, John McPherson III and his wife Jennifer of Mansfield, Carey (McPherson) Phillips of Douglas, and Daniel McPherson and his wife Kate of Thompson, CT; his mother, Joan M. (Napolitan) McPherson of Douglas; 6 grandchildren, Emma, Cameron, Brody, Abigail, Adaline, Kinsley, and one on the way named Hunter; 3 siblings, Catherine Sampson and her husband Bob of Cape Cod, James McPherson and his wife Linda of Douglas, and Richard McPherson and his wife Diana of Wilmington, NC; sister-in-law, Lynne McPherson of Northbridge, who was married to his brother Peter McPherson who predeceased him; his Goddaughter, Anna Sampson of Cape Cod; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews as well as his beloved 4-legged friend, his dog Meeska.

            Born in Framingham on September 3, 1956, John was the son of the late John A. McPherson and grew up in Bellingham. He was a graduate of the “Norfolk Aggie” Vocational High School class of 1974 where he studied Arborculture and was a member of the National Future Farmers of America Organization. He worked many years as a Sheet Metal Mechanic, most recently for Resh in Franklin, where he had worked 10 years until his retirement in 2020. 

Known as “Mr. Fix It”, John was a Jack-of-all-trades. He enjoyed carpentry, landscaping and was a master woodcarver, known for always having a pocket knife on his side. For many years, he coached town soccer teams before taking on the head coach position for the Douglas Middle/ High School Varsity and Jr. Varsity Boys Soccer teams. John loved Harley motorcycles and enjoyed spending bike week in Laconia with his cousin Gordie every year. He was a true outdoorsman with a deep appreciation for nature, who also liked gardening, landscaping, camping, and hiking. His biggest joy in life was his family, especially his children and grandchildren, he felt they were his greatest accomplishment. He was a great man loved by so many, and will be deeply missed.

            John’s funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 11th at 10AM in St. Denis Church, 23 Manchaug St., Douglas. Burial will follow in St. Denis Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, April 10th from 5-8 PM in Jackman Funeral Home, 7 Mechanic St., Douglas. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to the: For Kid’s Sake Foundation, 550 Kelley Blvd., N. Attleboro, MA 02760/ or via email at  https://forkidssakefoundation.org/donate/, or to the Special Olympics, Attn: Web Gifts, 1133 19th St. NW, 12th Floor, Washington, DC 20036-3604/ or via email at https://support.specialolympics.org/a/give-in-your-state.