John M. McPhee

John (Mac) McPhee, age 94, longtime resident of Braintree, Massachusetts. John (Mac) McPhee was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on April 1, 1916. He died in Hingham, Massachusetts on August 9, 2010 of old age. John was the son of Anthony McPhee and Margaret Campbell (McNeil) McPhee of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was predeceased by all five of his siblings: Ethel Leahy, Kay Tucker, Jean McCarthy, Elmer McPhee, and William McPhee. Married to the late Phyllis Grace (Cocozella) McPhee on May 18, 1946. John was the father of two sons. Dr. John Philip McPhee is a retired psychologist of Quincy, Massachusetts and Dr. Stephen McPhee (Patricia Perry) is a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. John was grandfather of Jenna Meyers (Scott), age 29; Jessica LaMastra (Steven), age 26; Christopher Perry McPhee (Claire), age 28; David Perry McPhee (deceased); Daniel Perry McPhee, age 22; and Jeanne Perry McPhee, age 19; and great-grandfather of Benjamin Meyers, age 5 months. Arriving in the US on September 20, 1923 on the Boston and Yarmouth SS, John and his family initially lived in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and then moved to Braintree, where he lived from April 27, 1924 until September 11, 2005. He graduated from Braintree High School in 1934 and the Quincy Trade School Machine Shop in the same year. For many years, John was a machinist and eventually a machine shop inspector at the Boston Gear Works in Quincy. He and his wife, Phyllis, enjoyed restoring antique furniture that they found at flea markets around New England. He also loved the outdoors, including hiking in his beloved Blue Hills. John became a naturalized US citizen (December 30, 1940) and served in the US Army Air Corps as a glider flight instructor from April 8, 1942 until November 28, 1945. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant with a Good Conduct Medal and American Theater Campaign Ribbon. Regarding their Dad, John's sons wrote, "My father's life was a remarkably unselfish one, a life lived for others, a life full of love for others, especially his wife, Phyllis, his sons, and his grandchildren. When Dad arrived home from work every afternoon, he was ready to play. We remember him helping us to make soap box derby racing cars, teaching us cribbage and chess and magic tricks, taking us hiking and camping. Dad's love for his grandchildren was evident in the many, many humorous letters that he wrote-- under a variety of pseudonyms-- to each of them through all the years of their childhood, the toys he made them, and the many poker and magic tricks that he shared. Both Dad and Mom encouraged us to work hard in high school and to aim high in our aspirations after it. Both of us did and earned our doctoral degrees. Dad, we thank you for all that you did and for all that you were. May you rest in peace and in the deep satisfaction of a life well lived and of the love you so engendered." A Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, August 12 at 12 p.m. in St Francis of Assisi Church S. Braintree Square. Visitation was at the McMaster Funeral Home, 86 Franklin St. (Rte. 37) Braintree prior to the Mass from 10- 11:30 a.m. Interment Blue Hill Cemetery. If desired, donations in his name may be made to the Mass Audubon Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 1904 Canton Ave., Milton, MA 02186.