Donald MacPherson

CHATHAM, N.H. — Donald MacPherson, 86, of Chatham, N.H., died at home Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013.

He was born in Newton, Mass., a son of Daniel and Annie (Johnston) MacPherson, and raised in Needham, Mass. At age 17, Don was offered a full scholarship to Brown University, but chose instead to enlist, and served in the Navy during WWII.

He was married to Norma Johnson, who predeceased him in 2002 after 53 years of marriage.

He enjoyed a 30-year career as an insurance underwriter for Amica Mutual Insurance Company. Don and Norma moved to Chatham in 1982 upon retirement. While raising his family in Walpole, Mass., Don was an active member and warden of the Epiphany Episcopal Church, and in retirement was an active member and moderator of the Chatham Congregational Church, and a worker at the Chatham Public Library. He acted as tax collector for the Town of Chatham, as well as performing many other duties for the town. Don was also a member of the Delta Masonic Lodge #153 of Lovell. He was a quiet man who always put others before himself. He loved his family and God, reading and music, growing his own tomatoes and working outside in his beautiful yard. He was always cheerful and good-natured, and had a quick wit and dry sense of humor. He was a truly a good man, a wonderful dad, grampa and great-grampa.

He is survived by two daughters, Laurie J. McInnis of Chatham and Paula McInnis of Fryeburg; a son, Doug MacPherson of Manchester; a brother, Earl MacPherson of Needham, Mass.; a sister, Jean M. Sweatt of Concord; three grandchildren and two great-grandsons.

A memorial service will be held at the Chatham Congregational Church, Saturday, May 4, 2013, with a Masonic burial immediately following in Chatham Center Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fryeburg Rescue, P.O. Box 177, Fryeburg, ME 04037, or the Chatham Congregational Church, 14 Lake Road, Chatham, NH 03813.

Arrangements are made with Wood Funeral Home, Fryeburg. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.org