Who We Are
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
When we sit down with a family, we have just one goal: to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. Together, we explore the wide variety of services and products available, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions.
Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.
Our History
Early day records of funeral service in the Cranbrook area reveal a firm advertising as acting undertakers and operated by Clement Maggs and Frank W. Hughes prior to 1900.
Maggs and Hughes served a large area including the cemeteries of Fisherville, Fort Steele, Wardner, Windermere, St. Eugene Mission,and Moyie. Economic conditions changed for the better for Cranbrook when the CPR brought its ribbons of steel to the area in 1898. Once considered merely a neighbouring area to Fort Steele. Cranbrook soon received city status with the steady influx of business brought about by the railway.
Following on the heels of the railway was one Charles P. Campbell, a graduate of Champion College in the USA. He advertised that he would attend to any work in the district and remained until 1903.
Records show a change of name in 1904 and the next funeral director (1904) was William R. Beatty. An advertisement announces “undertaker. embalmer: caskets trimmed and shipped at short notice and reasonable price. He was also an agent for the Nelson Marble and Tombstone Works.
Another event in 1904 was the dedication of the Catholic Cemetery in Cranbrook, by the Bishop of New Westminster and turned over to the Order of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Diocese of Nelson. The cemetery remains under the same Diocese to this day.
By 1910 there were two funeral directors serving the area. The latest to open for business was F. M. McPherson, who founded McPherson Funeral Service which survives to this day with a different spelling.
McPherson soon turned his interests to politics and was named to the board of transport commissioners. He turned his business Over to an Angus Roderick McPherson.
The first McPherson Funeral Home was located at 27 Norbury Avenue, now known as Tenth Avenue South. Upon McPherson’s death in January, 1957, staff member Gordon Wills, an employee since 1946 became a partner in the firm and served the community until 1970.
Ross Dixon, aged 41 with 20 years background in funeral service was the next owner of McPherson’s. He would keep the same name of the firm and build a 6,000 square foot funeral home and chapel seating 140 on Second Street South.
An event that would shake the city of Cranbrook and its citizens and put a huge strain on McPherson’s facilities, took place at 1 p.m. on February 11th 1978.
A Pacific Western passenger plane would crash while attempting to land on the snow-covered airport field. It claimed the lives of 42 passengers and crew members. The tail section separated from the main body of the aircraft and held six survivors: one stewardess and five passengers.
In total, McPherson’s opened to pathologists for 18 autopsies while the Cranbrook hospital handled 24. Eight local families requested funeral services through McPherson’s while many other victims were shipped back to their homes in other communities.
Prior to the PWA disaster, Dixon had sold the funeral home to John Chasca in September, 1977. Dixon died at the age of 50 shortly after the Cranbrook air crash.
John Chasca a past president of the British Columbia Funeral Association, remains owner of McPherson Funeral Service.
CITY OF KIMBERLEY
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR CEMETERIES
Please be advised of the following policies and regulations governing the operations of our cemeteries.
Niche Fronts
Niche Fronts are to be lettered by sandblasting in modified Roman Font. Cut flowers are permitted to be placed in the urns provided at the Columbarium but will be removed by the Caretaker when their condition is deemed to be detrimental to the beauty of the cemetery.
Mementos, flowers or any other items are not to be placed on the Columbarium or niche fronts.
Niche fronts and related hardware shall be installed/placed by City Staff or a contractor authorized in writing to do so by the Manager, Leisure Services pursuant to this Bylaw.
General Information
No grave or grave space is to have a fence, hedge, curbing or railing to define its location.
The planting or removal of any trees, shrubs, flowers etc. shall only be done by authorized employees of the City.
For additional information regarding the operation of our cemeteries please contact City Hall at 427-5311.
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Our Valued Staff
John Chasca, Owner/President
John Chasca has been owner/president of McPherson Funeral Service since 1977. He is a previous member of the Rotary Club and Knights of Columbus and the past President of the British Columbia Funeral Service Association. Presently, he sits as a director on the board of the Cremation Association of North America (CANA) and is also the current past president of CANA and also serves as the President of the Society of Independent Funeral Director's of British Columbia.
The last decade has seen many changes in the funeral profession. Large corporations, some from the outside Canada, have purchased many family owned funeral businesses and changed the way they operate. Please be assured, McPherson Funeral Services is still family owned and operated. Since 1911 the professional services we provide in Cranbrook, Kimberley, and the Columbia Valley, as well as surrounding communities, have expanded significantly. At every stage of our growth we have built a reputation base on providing families with genuine caring and responsive service, and for having the best men and women on our staff the profession has to offer. We are grateful that in 90 years of service, McPherson Funeral Service has the experience unparalleled acceptance by families as their funeral home of choice, and we’re responding by reconfirming our commitment to you.
Born in McLennan Alberta, John has over 30 years in all aspects of funeral Service.
Gordon Murphy, Funeral Director
Gordon Murphy has been with McPherson Funeral Service since he arrived in Cranbrook back in 1981. A funeral director since 1969, Gordon was born and raised in Saint John, New Brunswick. Gordon received his Alberta Funeral director’s license in 1980 and then relocated to Cranbrook in June of 1981. Since then, he has become a valuable part of the community, and was named Cranbrook’s Citizen of the Year for 2001. His involvement in the community over the years has included work with the Compassionate Friends, local hospice, the Canadian Cancer Society, the PARTY program. Most of all, Gordon enjoys working with families at the funeral home.
Brian Taylor, Funeral Director
Brian is from Fredericton; New Brunswick. Brian attended Fredericton High School he graduated in 1968. Brian enjoys serving families throughout the East Kootenays. Brian enjoys helping families in their time of need and playing darts when the opportunity arises and is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Brian has been with the firm for 19 years.
Sharla MacKay, Funeral Director
Sharla MacKay was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta. After graduating from High School she took some time to travel the world and experience many different cultures. Her travels took her to over 65 countries worldwide and all seven continents. Since completing her many journeys, Sharla has now settled among the beautiful mountains of Cranbrook, British Columbia. Being raised in a family of funeral professionals, she has been around the industry her entire life. Sharla is a graduate of the Western School of Funeral Service and has been with McPherson Funeral Service since 2003.
Josef Deal, Funeral Director
Josef was raised in and around Toronto, Ontario. He moved to Cranbrook with Sophia his wife of 26 years, from Markdale, Ontario in May of 2006. Together they have a daughter Kalandra living in Calgary and a son Zachary who also resides in Cranbrook. Joe graduated from the Humber College funeral service program in Toronto. Prior to moving to British Columbia he worked for Ward Funeral Home in both Brampton and Woodbridge Funeral Homes. During his time with Ward he had the privilege of working with a great staff and with families from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Since moving to Cranbrook he has enjoyed exploring the beauty of the mountains, meeting new friends along the many trails and backroads and is always looking for new adventures to experience.
Dean Buchignani, Funeral Director
Dean was born and raised, and lived his entire life in British Columbia. He is an avid outdoorsman, and fly fisherman. He has traveled extensively throughout the world, but is always drawn back to the beauty of this province. He moved from the interior of BC to the coast as a child, and received his high school and Funeral Service education there. He has worked in Funeral Service and served families in the Vancouver area for over 20 years. Looking for a change from the city, Dean and his wife Erica moved to the East Kootenays in 2007 and feels privileged for the opportunity to continue serving families with McPherson's. Dean enjoys community service, was an active member and past president of the Kinsmen club of Richmond, he has spent many hours of volunteer work with the Alzheimer's Association of British Columbia and is currently the President of the Lions Club of Wasa.
Dave Brown, Funeral Director
Dave was born and raised in Saskatchewan. He began his career in funeral services in Saskatoon with McKagues Funeral Chapel in 2005. He received his Funeral Director’s and Embalming license in 2009, while working at G.R. Carscadden Funeral Chapel in Moosomin, SK. Looking for a change, Dave, his wife Jen, and their two boys moved to Kimberley in the fall of 2010. Since moving here they have welcomed a new baby boy to their young family. They enjoy exploring the quietness and beauty of the East Kootenays. Spending time with their family is very important to Dave and Jen. Dave is proud to part of Kimberley and the surrounding area.
Val Charbonneau, Administrator
Val was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta. She moved to Cranbrook in 2007 and joined the McPherson team in February 2008. She enjoys working with the McPherson staff and finds it a rewarding experience to work with the families they serve. She enjoys exploring the outdoors and is thrilled with the opportunities that abound in the areas within the East and West Kootenay region.
Daryl and Barb Houser, Pre-Planning Counselors
Daryl and Barb Houser are representatives for Canada Purple Shield / FamilySide, a company that has been helping people pre-fund their final arrangements for over 75 years. The McPherson Funeral Home chose Purple shield to be our pre-need provider and Barb and Daryl have joined us as our pre-arrangement counsellors.
