 January
1998 |
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January
1998 |
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McPhee's talents served community By Karen Murawsky
Donald Fraser McPhee, a man
whose musical ability, spirit and dedication were welcome additions to
the Canadian pro-life community, died November 24 at age 48.
Don was executive director
of Coalition for Life from 1980 to 1982. He was introduced to several of
today's Campaign Life Coalition activists through Ruth Hoy, a well known
pro-life worker in Ottawa. Ruth, who is also deceased, had met Don and
his wife Posie, in Combermere, Ontario. At the time, she invited them to
entertain at the National Alliance for Life conference held that year at
Ottawa University.
The young couple made a lasting
impression on the audience when they performed their original songs. Subsequently,
they made a recording which was used as a fund-raiser for the Coalition
for Life.
Don became active with the
coalition, and shortly thereafter he became executive director. He served
in the position for two years, until he resigned for health and family
reasons.
Mary Tarantello, secretary
of the coalition during those years, remembers Don as "a dedicated, good
and considerate boss. He was a kind, intelligent gentleman to be admired
and liked."
Don and Posie moved to Combermere
where they founded Nazareth Family Apostolate, a family retreat centre
that survived for 10 years.
They also started Nazareth
Journal, now in its eighth year of publication. During this time, Don became
a permanent deacon in the Catholic Church and in 1993, he was offered a
full-time position at St. Paul's parish in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In Minneapolis, Don's health
continued to fail, and in October of this year, he received a heart-lung
transplant. It is understood that years earlier, while he had been working
as a guitar maker, Don damaged his lungs because of the toxic fumes he
had inhaled.
Don and Posie had eight children
and four grandchildren. His family was constantly with him for the last
weeks of his illness, and he had the prayers of many friends.
Sincere sympathies from Campaign
Life Coalition and The Interim to Posie and the family.
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