Richard William McPherson

He was the eldest son of seven siblings born to Bill and Alma McPherson of Bissett, MB. Though there were numerous moves in his life that remain largely unknown to us, it is evident that our father was a natural explorer and always sought adventure.

At around the age of 15, he left home to live with his Uncle Jay McPherson and cousins Shirley and Colleen in Chipperfield, SK. By the age of 16, he began working in the mines, eventually moving to Manitouwadge, ON, by the time he was 20. It was there that he met and married Sandra McPherson (née Wood) on February 28, 1966 (Div. 1994). Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Saskatoon, where they welcomed their first daughter, Tracy.

Richard enjoyed a successful career that began as a Shaft Miner, and later as an Underground Miner. He worked across Canada, from Myra Falls, BC to Newfoundland. In 1970 they were living in Sudbury, ON when their daughter, Marilyn, was born.

In August 1972, Richard and his family moved to Bissett when the San Antonio Mine reopened, allowing them to settle down and spend time with extended family. During this time, Richard endured a mining accident that steered his career in a different direction. The family subsequently moved to The Pas, MB, where Richard earned his 2-year Mining Engineering Technologist Diploma at Keewatin Community College.

Instead of moving east or west, the family chose to move north to Yellowknife, NT, where the Government of the Northwest Territories hired Richard as a Mine Inspector. Later, he accepted a position with Echo Bay Mines at their Lupin Mine as a Shaft Supervisor. He worked there from 1984 to 2003, staying on for the beginning of the reclamation process.

Richard’s final years of employment were spent in Bissett, MB, close to family, where he served as the Mine Manager at the San Antonio Mine. It was during this time that he met Lorraine MacDonald. Upon retiring, Richard and Lorraine enjoyed spending every winter in Arizona, Texas, or Florida with friends and family. After Lorraine's passing in September 2019, Richard chose to spend his winters in Nanaimo, BC, near his daughter, Tracy and her family. It was in Nanaimo that he met Terry Turvey, who was by his side in his final years.

When he wasn't working or travelling, Richard loved to fly. Over the years, he owned a Cessna 170, a Cessna 180, and a Super Cub. If you had the opportunity to sit down and chat with him, you likely heard incredible stories, many of which revolved around his flying adventures. He valued spending time at the hunting cabin with his brothers and cousins. In his younger years, he loved to play and coach hockey. He was a devoted fan of the Winnipeg Jets; if they were on TV, that’s what you watched. He was also an avid curler for many years, and at one point competed in the Manitoba Final Curling Championship.

Although we mourn your loss, Dad, we also celebrate the remarkable life you lived. You were well-loved, and your stories and antics touched so many lives. We were never surprised when you’d bump into a familiar face, whether that was at an underground mine in Brazil or relaxing in a sauna at Panorama Ski Resort.

He was predeceased by his parents, Bill and Alma McPherson, sister Elizabeth, and brother Terry. Richard is survived by his partner, Terry Turvey; his two daughters, Tracy Makarenko (Mike) and Marilyn Halifax (Jimmy Youngberg); four grandchildren, Brett Makarenko (Luke Burrows), Taylor Makarenko, Tibs Halifax, and Connor Halifax; as well as four siblings and several nieces and nephews.

If you have any stories you’d like to share about our Dad, we’d love for you to post them below. We recently discovered that our Dad played Santa Claus for several years and distributed gifts to the children in Snare Lake, NT. We can only imagine that one night over drinks, he and Ray Baert cooked up some scheme…

A Celebration of Richard’s Life will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in Bissett, MB.