Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Greater Napanee lost one of its community pillars as Bruce McPherson Jr. passed away on Feb. 8 in his 73rd year.
Like their grandfather Jack and father Bruce Sr. before him, Bruce Jr. and brothers Jack and Tim owned Gibbard’s Furniture, which was in the McPherson family from the late 1930s until its closure in 2008. In recent years Bruce Jr. facilitated the sale of the former factory to Doornekamp Construction and helped to oversee the building’s transformation to a 143 residential condo unit.
“He’s a lot like my dad, he’s very proud of Napanee,” younger brother Tim said of his brother. “Bruce worked at the factory since about 1975 or ’76, working through all departments of the factory and then into the office.”
When asked to describe his older brother the words kind and genuine came to mind.
Bruce McPherson Jr. during a tour of the factory in 2015. Photo by Seth DuChene.
“Kind and always making people feel comfortable,” recalled Tim. “He was so generous and kind and always conscientious about making those around feel welcomed and comfortable. From a brother’s standpoint, just a terrific brother. Bruce and I were very close. As a father, that was the most important thing in his life, his children. He was a real family man.”
Bruce Jr. leaves behind wife Penny and children Katie, Matt, Emily and Ben.
Although that made up his immediate family, it could be said his family really extended to include employees at the factory. During its heyday, Gibbard’s had a reputation not only for producing quality furniture, but creating a great work environment.
“We just enjoyed each other’s company, all of us,” Tim said. “We were all just working there together, it wasn’t like a boss-employee relationship. It was all we’re all in this together here and it was all a big family atmosphere. Giving tours people would say after the tour ‘my goodness everybody’s happy in here.’ You hear people whistling and joking with you as you walk by. It’s not a typical atmosphere whatsoever. It’s a fun place because people were treated good and they were happy to be there and that makes for a good product.”
Eldest daughter Katie shared the same sentiment.
“It’s been amazing to see people calling the house the last couple of days who maybe worked there for a few years in the 1980s and maybe worked there for 50 years and hearing those sentiments that they always felt that it was family,” she said. “Everyone has a different story but it’s often the same theme. Dad’s kindness and his way of making everyone feel welcome and knowing everyone’s name and asking about their families.”
Katie says seeing the factory find new life as the Gibbard District and being the start of a revitalization of downtown Napanee was a great source of pride for her father.
“That was his primary concern through the whole thing that the factory and that space that it held in Napanee continue to provide something good for the town and the people who lived here,” said Katie. “He didn’t care at all about himself or what he got out of it. It was that it was there for the town. It was important to him.”
Former Gibbard’s owner Bruce McPherson Jr. speaks as construction of the new Gibbard District goes on in the background in November of 2019. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Greater Napanee mayor Marg Isbester took time before Tuesday’s council meeting to recognize Bruce Jr’s contribution to the town.
“Bruce, along with partners, has been instrumental in the development of the Gibbard District,” said Isbester. “Bruce was the type of person who recognized the importance of the former factory, his family’s factory. The factory that had such far-reaching relationships with employees, craftsman, customers and even Canadian embassies around the world. He recognized the importance of the legacy within the development that would stand for years within our municipality as has the factory and his family.”
As tributes have poured in following news of his passing, Katie reflected on just how well-known he was for a man who strived to avoid the spotlight.
“It’s amazing because my dad was quite a humble person,” said Katie. “He never was someone who wanted to be the centre of attention and because of that, he always was. People just wanted to be around him and he made people feel comfortable and we always knew that. We always knew how much he loved his family and his friends and his Gibbard family. It’s not a surprise to us but it is just so lovely to hear from so many people that he touched and all of us, he has four kids and all of us have heard from our childhood friends about how much he meant to them. We’re getting notes from people who served him at restaurants and people who worked at the bank and knew him and people he just met on a day-to-day basis doing the things one does in normal life and somehow he touched all of them so it’s just incredibly kind and special that so many people in Napanee are sharing those stories. We really appreciate it.”
The family will receive visitors at the Wartman Funeral Home, Napanee, on Feb. 14 (1-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.) and Feb. 15 (5-8 p.m.) RSVP online to attend the visitation, or call (613-354-3722) or email : info@wfhs.ca. COVID protocols including proof of vaccination, ID and masking will be in place. A family service will be held Feb. 16. Should you wish to view the funeral service by Zoom, please register by visiting the funeral home website.
Donations to the L&A Hospital Foundation, University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, or to the Tree of Hope Campaign – Family and Children Services, will be remembered with appreciation by the family. Online condolences at www.wartmanfuneralhomes.com.