Eugene (Booge) Bernard McPherson

The family of Eugene (Booge) Bernard McPherson sadly announce his passing on Monday, December 23, 2019, at his home on Couchiching First Nation with his wife and daughters at his side. Booge was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, on July 2, 1944, to Clara (nee Jones) and John McPherson. As a young boy, his family moved to Couchiching First Nation where he lived the rest of his life.

Booge was united in marriage to Ria Yuill on November 8, 1969. They made their home on Couchiching First Nation where they raised their family.

Booge enjoyed travelling (mostly to casinos where he’d use his driving scare tactics on his son-in-law, Valley), concerts, hunting, fishing, blueberry picking, woodworking and ricing. Booge loved music and on any given evening you could hear the beats of old time rock and bluegrass blasting from his computer. He was an avid Lakers fan and did whatever he could to support the team. With his health declining the last couple of years he especially enjoyed watching live streams of Lakers hockey at home with his grand dogs Clarence and Sunni.

Throughout his life he worked for the MNR (firefighter), Boise Cascade in International Falls, North American Lumber, Dale Perusse Limited, MTO, Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council (Fire Prevention Officer) and most recently as Emergency/Disaster Planning Facilitator for the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation.

Anyone who knew Booge knew that he was an ambitious, community-minded person with his first major project being the formation of the Couchiching Volunteer Fire Department. Working hard with fellow community members and friends, the fire department came to be and is still going strong 45 + years later. He served on many committees and Boards throughout his life, including: the Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation, Aboriginal Firefighters Association of Canada, Rainy River Future Development Corporation, Fort Frances Lakers, Dudley Hewitt Committees, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Council, Couchiching First Nation Veterans Committee, Couchiching First Nation Band Council with the most recent Board positions being the United Native Friendship Centre and Wasaw Enterprises. He cared deeply about these organizations but his greatest passion in life was fire prevention and education holding various positions on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Native Fire Fighters Society. During this time, along with his fellow firefighters, he received the Governor General of Canada’s Award for service.

He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Ria, two daughters, Melissa (Valley Calder) and Melanie, his son, Lawrence, granddaughter Taylor, sister Loretta, niece/Goddaughter Annette and numerous nieces, nephews and hockey billets. Booge was predeceased by his mom Clara, dad John, sisters Annette, Rose Marie, Sueanne, Gladys and his brother Lynn.

Cremation has taken place with interment to be held at a later date. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 30, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church on Couchiching First Nation with Father Biju Mathew Ladao officiating. Honourary pallbearers are Ernie Jones, Tim Archie, Chris McPherson, Patrick McPherson, Valley Calder, Michael Yuill, Scott Morrisseau and Brian Staats.

If friends so wish, donations in Booge’s memory can be made to the Couchiching Volunteer Fire Department, C/O Couchiching First Nation, RMB 2027, RR#2, Fort Frances, Ontario, P9A 3M3.

Booge was a hard worker and a man of great integrity but he was also fun-loving with a great sense of humour, always making people laugh. He never passed up an opportunity to tease and he loved a good ribbing. We will always remember him this way.