Bruce W. MacPherson Obituary

Bruce W. MacPherson was faculty at New Bedford High School in New Bedford, MA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Bruce W. Macpherson.

School Role	Faculty
Date of Passing	Apr 05, 2007
About	HARWICH -- Bruce William MacPherson, 64, died peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family and friends, on Thursday, April 5, 2007, after a brave 22-year battle against a major illness. Born in Quincy and raised in Eastham, Bruce graduated from Nauset Regional High School in 1960. Following his graduation from the University of Bridgeport, he went on to receive his master’s degree from Springfield College, where he also served as an assistant football coach. Additionally, he was an assistant football coach in Newark, N.Y., and then at the University of Rhode Island. He became a physical education teacher and the head football coach at New Bedford High School from 1973 to 1980. From 1980 to 1994, MacPherson was the director of health and physical education for the Melrose public schools and the head football coach. During these coaching years, he compiled a record of 123-76-12. This included a 1982 trip to the Division I Super Bowl with the Melrose team. MacPherson was selected to coach in both the Shriner’s and the Agganis football all-star games. In addition, he was voted the Division I Coach of the Year five times. Bruce was inducted into the New Bedford and Melrose halls of fame, as well as the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 1995, he received the William H. Ohrenberger Award for high school football coach of the year from the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston. MacPherson retired in 2003 as the district health coordinator for the Dennis-Yarmouth regional schools, where he was again involved in the football program. In his retirement he worked at the Captains Golf Course in Brewster, which he loved. Throughout his life, Bruce enjoyed sailing and golf, but he especially loved his family, his friends, his pets and his ice cream. Bruce is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, Louisa (Keith) MacPherson. He is the son of the late Velma and Wally MacPherson of Eastham. Bruce will be sadly missed by his brother and sisters, Malcolm MacPherson and his wife, Sandra, of Eastham and Holden, Bonnie (MacPherson) Cahill and her husband, Dick, of Eastham and Cyndy MacPherson Marshall and her husband, Ansell, of Bend, Ore. Bruce leaves many adoring nieces and nephews, Christopher, Jennifer, Kevin, Megan, Kelly, the late Timothy, Eric, Sadie, Cordelia, Mirabai, Malaney, Colin, Paul, Carolyn, Timothy, Keith, Anna, Hailey, Walter, Brandon, Taylor and Tage. A memorial celebration will be held for all friends and family Saturday, April 28, at 1:30 p.m. at the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Harwich Port. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Bruce MacPherson Scholarship Fund, co Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Harwich Port branch, Harwich Port, MA 02646.