William Andrew McPherson Jr.

William Andrew McPherson Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on September 2nd. Born in Dorchester, MA, Bill was the oldest son of William A. McPherson and Margaret (Rice), West Roxbury, MA. He attended Boston Schools and received his business degree from Providence College and his master’s from Boston University. He joined the U.S. Navy and served 5 years active duty as a supply corps officer. He was stationed at Quonset Point, RI and on the aircraft carrier USS Antietam during the Korean Conflict. He remained in the Naval Reserve for another 25 years, retiring as a captain. He was proud of his long and distinguished career in the U.S. Navy. He settled in Scituate, MA, living there for 24 years raising his 5 children. There he enjoyed boating, fishing, clamming, running and coastal living. He was an active participant in St. Mary’s Church. Later he moved to Nashua, NH, but kept his Scituate residence and enjoyed frequent visits to spend time with his family and friends.

After his active duty, he joined Service Bureau Corporation (of IBM), followed by 20 years of working for Honeywell and Itek. Later he joined his brother, Gene, and sold commercial real estate with the McPherson Corporation. William was a man of great faith. Along with his wife, he was involved with the Cursillo Movement, Marriage Encounters, Teens Encounter Christ and most recently The Voice of the Faithful in NH. He was president of the Parish Counsel at the Immaculate Conception Church in Nashua and taught CCD for many years. After a trip to Scotland, he became a lifelong member of the McPherson Clan Association, serving as NE Commissioner. He loved to learn and to teach. In his later years, he became involved in the RISE Program of senior education at Rivier University and served as its second president. He was facilitator for the American Quandaries course, a favorite class on foreign policy for 12-plus years.

He leaves behind his wife of 63 years Rita (Dumont) of Nashua, NH; four daughters: Katherine and husband Bob Dexter of Whitman, MA, Helyn and husband Jim Bailey and Anne and husband Joe Sweeney, all of Scituate, MA, Mary and husband David Burkhardt of Pembroke, MA and son, William and wife Debbie of Manchester Center, VT.; as well at 2 grandsons: James Bailey and wife Laura of Concord, NH and Michael Bailey, Scituate, MA; and 3 great-grandchildren: Bradley, William & Wesley. He is survived by his sister Margaret McDonnell of Lakewood, NY and his brother, Eugene McPherson of Nashua, NH.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 9, 2016, from 4:00PM-7:00PM at the Zis-Sweeney Funeral Home, 26 Kinsley St. Nashua. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016, at 10:30AM at Immaculate Conception Parish, 216 E. Dunstable Rd., Nashua. In lieu of flowers, donations will be appreciated in his memory to the RISE Program at Rivier University, Immaculate Conception Church and Corpus Christi Food Pantry all in Nashua. Condolences may be offered at www.ZisSweeney FuneralHome.com.