Calvin Obed MacPherson

MACPHERSON, Calvin Obed

MacPherson, Calvin Obed, born February 13, 1938 on the farm at Gainsborough, SK, passed away Sunday, August 13, 2017 in Calgary, AB. Calvin was raised in Gainsborough working on the farm, and at the Bill Cox garage. Cal went to work on the drilling rigs throughout SK, AB and the NWT, where he met his wife Lillian in Sedgewick, AB. They married on April 11, 1959. Cal then trained as a Wireless Radio operator in Ottawa, ON. After a short career with the Federal Government, Cal returned to Sedgewick to take over the Backen Garage. During the time he owned MacPherson’s Garage, he trained as a Journeyman Automotive Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, Pressure Welder. His many skills and mechanical aptitude were applied to car and farm equipment repairs, always interesting welding projects and providing towing services at all hours to many folks in need. After a 10-year career in the garage Cal and Lil started Cal MacPherson Oilfield services taking the 1968 Ford Tow Truck from the garage to augment the fleet of steamers, water trucks, maintenance truck and backhoes. In 1985 Cal and Lil sold the oilfield services company and retired while looking for the next adventure. In retirement Cal took up golf, taking on the water system install project at the Sedgewick Centennial Golf Course.  He was elected as a Flagstaff County councillor, working on the school board and successfully heading up the renovations of the Hardisty, Heisler and Daysland schools, bring them in under budget and ahead of schedule. He also did several family projects and renovations. He built homes at Sedgewick, Fairmont Hot Springs and Lougheed. They had homes on the golf courses in Fairmont Hot Springs, BC and Chandler, AZ allowing Cal to play golf 5 to 6 days a week. While raising his family in Sedgewick, Cal was a member of the Kinsmen Club, acting as the president for 3 years and travelling the world to Kinsmen conventions.  He was the Fire chief of the Sedgewick volunteer Fire Department for 10 years, fighting the Sedgewick School fire and the Lougheed School Gym fire saving both schools from a total loss and upgrading the fire department to a benchmark for other communities to follow.

Cal is lovingly remembered by his wife of 58 years, Lillian; son, Graham MacPherson (Lea Anne); grandchildren, Lauren and Colin MacPherson; daughter, Donna Rawluk (Barry); grandchildren, Blaine (Alyssa), Lynnaya Davidson, Stephan and Vaughn Rawluk; brother, Grant MacPherson; sisters, Helen (Bill)Rourke, Janet (George) Spark, and Lee (Ernie) Vindevoghel and numerous nieces and nephews. Calvin was predeceased by sister, Joan Hintz and his parents, Doris and James MacPherson.

The family would like to thank Dr. Dean Reuther, Susan Trapp RN, the Staff of the Tom Baker Unit 47, Dr. Tina Hoang, and the staff of the Chinook Hospice for the exceptional care he received. Cal often mentioned that the staff at the Chinook Hospice were the most wonderful he had ever met. His family agrees he received the most compassionate and professional care he could hope for.

A Celebration of Cal's Life will be held at the Sedgewick Gold Club, 5400 - 50 Street, Sedgewick,AB on Sunday, August 20, 2017 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm. Tee Times are available between 1:00 - 2:00 pm for those wishing to golf 9 in Cal's honor. Please call the club house directly at 780-384-3670 to reserve a spot.

Donations may be made in Cal’s memory to the Sedgewick Cemetery Fund or the Chinook Hospice, 1261 Glenmore Trail SW, Calgary, AB, T2V 4Y8. Cal will be interred at the Sedgewick Cemetery.