After 95 years of a life well lived, Roderick “Rod” MacPherson passed away peacefully on Father’s Day, June 21, 2026. He was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and above all, a devoted husband.
Rod was born on November 17, 1930, to parents Agnes and John in the community of Croft, Antigonish County, Nova Scotia. As a young teenager, Rod left home to join the workforce, a decision that eventually led him to the bush camps of Northwestern Ontario. His work ethic and quiet determination earned him a long career as a heavy equipment operator, a profession he continued until his retirement at the age of 65.
In the spring of 1954, while working at a camp in Hillsport, Ontario, Rod and Patricia began their courtship, which quickly blossomed into a lifelong partnership. They were married a year later, on April 11, 1955, at St. Andrew’s Church in Port Arthur. Together they shared an extraordinary 71 years of marriage, creating a legacy of love that lives on through their family.
Over the next several years, Rod and Pat went on to raise their five children. His work took their family to several communities, including Thunder Bay, Dryden, Geraldton, Nipigon, and Bathurst, New Brunswick, where they spent several memorable years before settling back in Thunder Bay. Rod and Pat enjoyed an active social life and cherished the many friendships they made along the way. They were proud members of the Maritimers Club in Thunder Bay, maintaining their strong connection to their East Coast roots. Rod was known as a hard-working man who occasionally enjoyed a cold beer at the end of a long day or, on special occasions, a “rye and seven.”
Rod is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his wife, Patricia (née Lapointe), and his children, Brenda Levesque, Jerry (Connie Lee) MacPherson, Lorraine (Ken) Commisso, Jo-Ann (David) Zelinski, and Colleen Levesque, along with many extended family members on the East Coast.
He is the cherished grandfather of Jenna (Matt Fratpietro), Justin, Neil (Amanda Tam), Benjamin (Chelseay Rudolph), Konrad (Rasha née Karim), Karla (Shane Pichette), Laura (Chris West), Anders (Rebecca Schuetz), Colin, Madison (Hunter Galloway), and Olivia (Graeme Fingler).
The joy of Rod’s life multiplied with the arrival of great-grandchildren Nova, Ray, Ozzie, Charlotte, Mei, and Roman, with two more arrivals anticipated in the coming months.
Rod was predeceased by his parents, siblings, Margaret Bowie (Wilfred), Teresa Heslop (Bob), Angus MacPherson, and John Dan MacPherson, as well as by his beloved sons-in-law, Phil Levesque and JP Levesque.
Rod will be remembered not only for his devotion to his wife and family, but also for his strong work ethic, warmth, and humour. He had a quick wit and a way of delivering the perfect one-liner. Rod enjoyed the simple pleasures in life and was happiest when surrounded by his wife and family, with a cup of Tim Hortons coffee in hand.
Our family would like to thank the staff and residents of Pioneer Ridge for their care and friendship over the past few years.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church, where family and friends will gather to celebrate Rod’s life and offer their final goodbyes. On-line condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com.
