HISTORY/BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: | Alexander Blair McPherson was born in High River, Alberta in 1926 and grew up on a farm outside of Cayley, Alberta. He attended the Cayley Public School before studying at the University of Alberta, where he received Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Divinity degrees. Blair was ordained as a minister by the United Church in 1952 and pursued a Master of Sacred Theology degree at McGill University, where he met Lorna Bisset.
Blair and Lorna married on August 8, 1953 and subsequently moved to Bellevue, Alberta where Blair served as minister to several United Churches in the Crowsnest Pass. In 1955, the McPherson family moved to Ottawa where Blair worked as minister for Carleton Memorial United Church for six years. While in Ottawa, Blair also taught at the Ottawa Teachers’ College and was active in efforts to preserve Sundays as a restricted day in Ontario. Blair also studied at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan during summer sessions and received a Diploma in Pastoral Care.
In 1961, the McPhersons returned to Alberta when Blair secured a position as minister of Kirk United Church in Edmonton. After that, Blair worked as Counselor/Chaplain at Alberta College before attending the University of Alberta to complete requirements to become a registered psychologist. Upon achieving this, he worked as a Family Counselor at the Family Service Association and then embarked into private practice with a specialization in marriage and vocational counseling.
Blair and Lorna McPherson had four children: Alexander James (1954-), Donald Blair (1955-), Robert John (1958-), and Cheryl Anne (1964-).
In his retirement, Blair remained an engaged citizen, writing letters to newspapers on a variety of contemporary issues and participating in community organizations related to education and seniors’ issues.
Blair McPherson died in July, 2007. The Edmonton Public School Board then named A. Blair McPherson School in his honour.
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