Obituary of Paul James McPherson

McPherson, Paul James (1935-2024)

With heavy hearts, we announce that Paul James ("Tex") McPherson passed away on August 7, 2024 at 89 years old. Paul was born in St. Catharine’s, Ontario to parents, Gordon and Yvonne (nee Charron) McPherson. Paul grew up in Stratford, Ontario with his two younger siblings Frank and Charron, and left high school at a young age to help support his family.  While growing up, he developed a love of hockey and was delighted to have been selected for the farm team of the Montreal Canadiens. In 1958, while working as a diver for the Canadian Fisheries in Northern Ontario, he met his future wife, Rosemarie Hofer. The couple were married in Kitchener, Ontario in November 1959, and moved to London, Ontario, and soon after, Paul got a job with the London Fire Department. He loved his job as a professional firefighter and was well known and respected in the profession in which he worked for over 30 years. He took pride in his profession, taking on many new firefighting and lifesaving skills and enjoyed training young recruits. In his spare time, Paul kept busy - he worked part-time for the Canadian Red Cross - supporting local swimming pool programs around SW Ontario and relaxing at his beloved Cobblestone Cottage in Dyers Bay. He loved playing hockey, and continued to do so until he was 75 years old. Paul also loved swimming, being outdoors, scuba diving on the Bruce Peninsula, spending time with friends and family, watching hockey and football, telling stories about his life and meeting new people.

Paul leaves behind his loving wife of 10 years, Joanne Andrews; his children; Michelle La Charite (Dan), Catharine McPherson, Patti McPherson (Paul Craig), John McPherson (Kerry); his grandchildren; Matthew Grantham, Charron Atfield(Kelly), Wyldie, Fergie and Gwyneth Maxwell, Connor and Katie Stolte, Jennifer Kennett(Dan) and Tracy Buck (Jeff); his younger brothers, Frank McPherson (June), and Monty Fordham (Susan); several nieces and nephews, and nine great grandchildren. Paul is predeceased by his first wife Rosemarie (Hofer) McPherson of 40 years, his second wife Georgette “Peggy” McPherson of 12 years, his sister Charron (McPherson) Ranney (Flint) and his son in law Alastair Maxwell.  The family would like to thank the Westmount Gardens Apple Blossom Long Term Home care team who did such an incredible job caring for Dad over the past 4.5 yrs.  A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Peter's Basilica, 196 Dufferin Ave, London on Thursday, October 17, 2o24 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers donations in Paul’s memory to Wellspring would be appreciated by the family.  (select London and Region when donating)  CLICK HERE to donate.