FALMOUTH – Stephen R. Macpherson Jr., 89, passed away July 16, 2012, after a fishing trip in Aroostook County with his family. He lived his life with enthusiasm, humor and love. He was born April 24, 1923, in Portland, son of Stephen and Albertina Bibber Macpherson.
At Portland High School, as captain of the football team, he was an outstanding football player earning All-State Honors and still holds records to this day. He graduated from the first athletic program at University of Maine, Orono, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and the UMO football team. Steve served in the Army in both World War II and the Korean War, where he was stationed in Germany. Before being recalled for the Korean War, he was the coach of coaches at Mattanawcook Academy in the Lincoln school system during the early 1950s. During the Korean War, Mr. Macpherson was the commanding officer of the 7751 Military Police Unit at the Dry Lynden check point. Steve loved people, alpine skiing, fishing and especially the hunting of pet geese. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and Masons Mechanics Lodge No. 66. He was a successful businessman at Penn-Maine Oil Co. – a family company he joined after returning from the war, and by 1989 was the sole shareholder and CEO. The real love of his life was his family.
His wife of 68 years, Shirley Cook, his high school sweetheart since he saw her in a white bathing suit on Willard Beach, predeceased him in 2009. He is survived by his son, Stephen and partner, LouAnn Castonguay, of Gray; daughter, Bonnie and husband, Bob Grant, of Falmouth; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, the lucky ones to have had Steve in their lives.
There will be a celebration of his life in September at the home of Bonnie and Bob Grant, Steve’s residence since 2009.