It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dad. On June 19, 2018, Frederick George McPherson (Freddie) passed away at Saint Boniface General Hospital at the age of seventy-seven years.

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Dad’s dream at a young age was to have his own family.

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Peter Cavaghan (Dad’s cousin) mentioned in an email to me, “When I was sharing an apartment with my grandmother Peters, Marge (dad’s mom) was living on the other side of Peanut Park, and Freddie just wanted to get married and have a family”.

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You accomplished that, Dad. Life was a journey for you, filled with happy times and hard times. Happy times with the people who knew you best, your mom, your brother and sister-in-law, your sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn, and your kids. The hard times were an internal journey. The strength and courage you displayed as you journeyed through mental illness for so long is an inspiration to everyone.

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You can rest in peace knowing that without a doubt, you are loved, and you have a legacy of family that will always remember and admire the courage and the strength you displayed through those hard times. Though there were hard times, dad’s sense of humor never faltered. Right up to the last couple of weeks, when Dad told a nurse who asked him “What could make your day better”? Dad responded jokingly, “A whole lot of women”. Or when he looked up at Marcie, Mike, and the poor student nurse during a very serious moment in the hospital room, with a very serious expression on his face he said, “Who are you three?” Then he smiled. Yet, there was more than just humor. In his final weeks, Dad showed us all a window into his warm, thoughtful, and loving side when he looked over at Marcie and said with a high level of clarity. “The world would be a much better place if there were 20 Courtneys”, referring to one of his beautiful granddaughters who has a very kind, loving and gentle soul.

Dad, you are now at peace, resting with your mom, your sister and you are missed dearly by all.

Thank you for that dream to start a family, thank you for trying so hard to carve your own path in life. Your children and grandchildren are forever grateful. A dad, a brother, an uncle, a grandpa Freddie, a man with courage and strength… Dad, you are missed.

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Left to mourn Dad’s passing are his two sons and three daughters, along with numerous grandchildren; son Jamie McPherson and family, son Michael McPherson and family, daughter Marcie Thomson and family, daughter Cheryl Ottoson and family, and daughter Sheri Kehler and family.

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Fred is survived by his brother, Donald McPherson and family, and Gary Cameron and family (brother of Fred's late sister, Gail Cameron).

We wish to voice our gratitude and appreciation to the nursing staff, the health care aids, and the doctors of the Palliative Care Unit at Saint Boniface General Hospital. Thank you for never faltering in treating Dad with only the highest levels of dignity and respect.

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And Matthew (Dad’s Proctor), thank you for your connection with Dad, your unique and special ability to bridge connections with those who struggle with trust. You provided dad with more than stories and experiences: You provided a friendship, and someone he could count on - someone he could trust. Thank you for being the amazing person you are.

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A celebration of life will be held between 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 29, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg , 603 Wellington Crescent at Academy Road.

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A warm and special thank you to Integrity Death Care, without your guidance and support this process would have been so very challenging: thank you.