Kenneth MacPherson

Kenneth Paul MacPherson, 88, of Singer Island, Fla. and Walpole, Mass., died on Jan. 27, 2013.

Beloved husband of 65 years to the late Irene “Abby” A. MacPherson, loving and adored father to four children and their families: Laurie and Bruce Chalmers and their children Anne Irene, James and Thomas; Bruce and Janet MacPherson and their children David, Brian, and Amanda; Douglas and Sharon MacPherson and their children Heather, Douglas, and Abbott; Jean Muir and her children, Carrie, Christie, and Kenneth Paul. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren: Madeleine, Cora, and Lillian Fleming, children of Anne Irene and Keith Fleming, and Brady Chalmers, son of James and Katie Chalmers. Ken’s brother, Robert C. MacPherson, and his wife Betty, live in Cumberland, Maine. Ken said, “Our number one interest is being, enjoying and helping with our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”

Ken was born in White Plains, N.Y., graduated from The Rivers School in Weston, Mass. in 1942 and Harvard College in 1946. During WW II, Ken served three years with the 10th Mountain Division and was a platoon sergeant. He was decorated with two Bronze stars, the Combat Infantryman’s medal, and was a veteran of the Italian Campaign for which he received three battle stars. He was proud of his service to his country, and was active in 10th Mountain Division Organizations in both New England and Fla. He was a manager with New England Telephone Company, a VP for sales at Homer Alden Co. and then was the owner/operator of the Colpitts Travel Agency in Wellesley, Mass. He and Abby raised their family in Westwood, Mass. and retired to Fla. in 1977, spending summers in Walpole, Mass. and Bridgton, Maine. Ken was a true Renaissance man whose enthusiasm, curiosity, knowledge and accomplishments spanned many fields. He was a scholar who quoted vast passages of poetry from memory, especially T.S. Eliot. He loved literature, the theater, music, and dance, and was a ballroom dancer with his Abby, and a photographer, golfer, swimmer, and scuba diver. He was a self-taught woodworker who built furniture and framed, with love, Abby’s paintings. He was a Vestryman and Senior Warden of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Westwood, a Trustee of the Westwood Public Library, a Great Books Leader, and a Vice President of the Singer Island Civic Association. Ken was very active in the Palm Beach Power Squadron where he was a Commander. He was President of The Rivers School Board of Trustees, and was honored to be named a Life Trustee. He and Abby traveled extensively, including visits to their five foster children in Nepal. He was a member of the Harvard Club of the Palm Beaches, Ballen Isles Country Club and The Beach Club in Palm Beach, Fla., Woodland Golf Club in Newton, Mass., and Bridgton Highlands Golf Club in Bridgton, Maine. He was a member of Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Palm Beach.

A Memorial Service will be celebrated on Saturday morning, Feb. 9th at 11 a.m., in St. John’s Episcopal Church, 97 Deerfield Ave., Westwood, Mass. Interment will be private. Donations in Ken’s name may be made to the Palm Beach Power Squadron, 1125 Old Dixie Hwy, Lake Park, FL 33403. Arrangements by Holden-Dunn-Lawler Funeral Home, www.hdlfuneralhome.net