Angus "Joe" Joseph MacPherson

Passed away peacefully in the Palliative Care Unit of the Victoria General Hospital, Halifax, NS on April 6, 2024 at the age of 81 after a hard fought battle with Colon Cancer. Loving husband of Joy (Findlay) MacPherson for 46 years. Angus Joseph (Joe) MacPherson was born, December 2nd, 1942, eldest son of the late Angus Roderick and the late Esther Eunice (MacGillivray) MacPherson of Georgeville, Antigonish County, NS.

Joe attended St. Andrew Rural High School in Antigonish and in 1962 at the age of 19, joined the Royal Canadian Navy. He served on the HMCS Fort Erie, Cape Scott and Granby (Diving Tender) as a Radioman. In 1966 he was honourably released from the RCN and joined the then Department of External Affairs as a Communicator. He served in New Delhi, India, and Washington DC before returning to Ottawa in January 1970.

In 1963, Joe became a licensed amateur radio operator with the call sign VE1AHC (Halifax, NS) he also held call signs, VU2AHC (New Delhi, India), VE1AHC/W3 (Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA) VE3CAT (Orleans, Ontario) and VE1CH (Halifax, NS.)

In 1970 Joe won a competition with the then Department of Communications, as an Administrative Services officer, (AS) Joe worked in the Cable TV Section as well as in the Radio Regulatory Division and the Emergency Telecommunications Division. He was the Department’s representative to the NATO Civil Communications Planning Committee (CCPC-WG) and attended many meetings and conferences in Europe and elsewhere.

In 1990, Joe earned a BA (History) from the University of Waterloo. After retiring from the Public Service, he and Joy moved to Shad Bay, NS, in 1996. They relocated to Halifax in 2016.

He has two sons, Kenneth Richard and Brian Joseph from his first marriage to the late June Florence Storey of Greater Napanee ON.

His second marriage was to Joy Elizabeth Grace (Findlay) MacPherson of Dumfries, Scotland and Ottawa. Joe adopted Joy’s daughter Catherine.

In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his brother Richard, brother-in-law, D.G. MacIsaac both of Antigonish.

Surviving are; his wife Joy, daughter Catherine (Eugene Violette) Cole Harbour NS, sons Ken, Belleville ON and Brian (Angela), Greater Napanee ON, sisters Elizabeth Ann (late D.G. MacIsaac), Ottawa ON, and Lynn Marie (Shawn Kennedy), Fairmont, NS and Brother Len (Patricia) Orleans ON. As well as 6 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Joe was an active volunteer for more than 43 years. He spent many years as a volunteer with Ottawa-Carleton Emergency Measures Organization (RMOC-EMO) and after moving to NS, another 20 years as a volunteer with Halifax Regional EMO, Joe taught at the Canadian Emergency Preparedness College (CEPC) at Arnprior, Ontario (visiting lecturer). He also volunteered for more than 30 years with the Canadian Red Cross in Ottawa and Halifax.

Joe was an active member of the Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary (Ottawa/Rockland Detachments) for 13 years and concluded his service with the OPP as an Auxiliary Inspector. He then established the Auxiliary Police Unit in what was then the Gloucester Police Service (now part of Ottawa Police) and was their first and only Auxiliary Inspector.

Joy and Joe traveled extensively and visited many countries in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. They visited every state in the USA (except Alaska) and drove across the USA several times. They also visited every Province in Canada.

Cremation has already taken place. At Joe’s request, there will be no visitation or service. If desired, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Society.

Special thanks to family physician Dr. Harris Crooks (retired), and Ophthalmologist, Dr. Arif Simad for their many years of excellent care. Finally thanks to Dr. Ikenna Ezeamah, Dr. Lee as well as the Palliative Care Unit, (Halifax) for their sensitive kindness during Joe’s final hours.