Judge Hugh J. MacPherson - Athlete, Coach, Leader, Builder, Lawyer, Judge
Born at the “Big Brook” in Dunmore, Antigonish County on March 6, 1916, Hugh J. MacPherson was the son of Angus H. MacPherson and Elizabeth Ann “Bessie” MacIsaac. He had three sisters: Mary Gertrude, Kathleen, and Bernadette; and one brother: Harold.
MacPherson was educated at St. Andrews School, where he was
an enthusiastic member, and a fan, of many teams, especially his beloved St.
Andrews Flyers, in both hockey and softball. He enjoyed participating in track
and field, bowling, and curling. His leadership as a coach was an inspiration
to many young men.
During his youth, MacPherson became a versatile athlete, as well
as a capable manager and coach. Known as “Hugh Mitts” by his friends and
teammates, he had huge hands that could clasp anything on the rugby pitch or
the softball field. When he was on the pitcher’s mound, many of his opponents
couldn’t see the ball until he released it!
Hugh graduated from St Francis Xavier University with a
Bachelor of Arts in 1938. During his days at StFX, hewas sports editor for
the Xaverian, on the executive of the Amateur Athletic Association, and manager of the
X-Men hockey team.
After graduation, MacPherson worked in the mines in northern Ontario
and northern Quebec, before enlisting in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942.
During the Second World War, he served in England, and later in Burma, with 99
Bomber Squadron of the Royal Air Force. To entertain his fellow personnel, Hugh would play the
piano, though his hands were so large that he had to
use the sides of his fingers to reach the keys!
Following the war, Hugh attended Dalhousie Law School, and
he and his wife (and fellow Dal Law graduate) Jean (Chisholm) MacPherson, were admitted to the bar in
1950. They established the firm MacPherson and MacPherson in Antigonish.
For several years, Hugh was assistant clerk in the House of
Assembly under Premier Angus L. Macdonald. He then served as a Crown attorney
in Antigonish. In 1967, he was called to the bench by Justice Minister Pierre
Elliot Trudeau, and went on to serve with distinction as a Justice of
the County Court in the counties of Antigonish, Guysborough and Inverness.
After a 40-year legal career, MacPherson retired in 1991 at the age of 75. He was
known far and wide as “Judge Hughie.”
(Contributed Photo)
Judge Hughie was loved by coaches, athletes, historians and genealogists alike, as a leader and builder in the community. He was president of the Royal Canadian Legion, Arras Branch No. 57, and a recipient of the Palm Leaf of the Meritorious Service Award in 1977. He was a core member of the committees that pushed for the construction of St. Martha’s Regional Hospital and the Antigonish Arena. He was president of the Antigonish Highland Society, and for many years organized the Concert Under the Stars during the annual Highland Games. MacPherson was a founding member of the Cape Breton Fiddlers’ Association, the first president of the St. Andrews parish council, and a member of the St. Andrew’s Orchestra.
Judge Hughie served on the Board of Governors of StFX, and
was inducted into its Hall of Honour in 1999.
The Athletics Department honoured him with the Don MacNeil award for
interest in, and loyalty to, the cause of athletics at his alma mater.
Judge Hughie MacPherson
(Antigonish Heritage Museum)
Judge Hugh J. MacPherson died on May 21, 2005, at the age of
89. He will long be remembered as a true leader and builder in our community.
Submitted by Bill Kiely
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