MACPHERSON Malcolm Lawrence “Larry”

Surrounded by his family, Malcolm Lawrence “Larry” MacPherson died peacefully at home in Ben Eoin, N.S., on Sept. 15, 2017, after a short battle with lung cancer. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara “Barb” Jean MacPherson (nee Kenney), who died earlier this year. Larry was lost without Barb after building a wonderful life together, full of shared accomplishments. Among them were Larry’s ground-breaking tenure in the administration of Holland College in Charlottetown; his stint as P.E.I.’s deputy minister of tourism; management of Labrador College in Happy ValleyGoose Bay; periods managing Tourism Cape Breton and the Sydney airport; and most recently as the founders and proprietors of the Birches at Ben Eoin in Cape Breton. Larry and Barb are now reunited after months apart, no longer managing an inn, but rather enjoying their eternal stay as guests in the Kingdom of God. Larry’s life was a full one that took him all over the continent in a myriad of professions, but to him, his greatest accomplishments and sources of pride were his marriage and his family. Larry is survived by his sons: Donald (Emily Bell), of Fredericton, N.B., Derek (Alexandra), of Barrie, Ont.; Darcy of Winnipeg, Man.; and Devan (Kendra), of Lethbridge, Alta. As per Larry’s wishes, each of the boys have shared a thought about their parents here: Donald: “They set a shining example of partnership and parenthood.” Derek: “They showed me what it is to be strong, that coming out of one’s self is to care.” Darcy: “Together they pushed me as close as possible to my potential.” Devan: “They reminded us that life is a team sport and that family is the ultimate team”. Larry’s devotion to his family yielded the reward of grandparenthood. His grandson Callum, 7, of Fredericton; and granddaughter Ryan, 1, of Barrie; were the lights of his life in his golden years. Larry is also survived his brothers Kevin (Shirley), Fulton (Ruth) and Charles; his sisters Pauline Mesher (Robert) and Carmelina MacPherson-Bourner (Richard). He was pre-deceased by his parents Daniel and Julia; his brothers Walter, Daniel, Donald, Ian and Paul; and sister Eulene. Visitation will take place at Chant’s Funeral Home in Sydney, N.S., on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at St. Mary’s Church in East Bay, N.S., on Tuesday at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mary’s Parish.