Fred McPheters ’45

BAR HARBOR – Fred McPheters, 87, husband of the late Millicent Marie (Stewart) McPheters, passed away April 1, 2013, at a local long-term care facility. He was born July 8, 1925, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, the son of Fred and Eloise (Babb) McPheters.

He was raised in Calais and graduated from Calais Academy in 1941. He went to Maine Maritime Academy and served in the Merchant Marines. After the war, he met Marie who was from Pleasant Ridge, New Brunswick, and they were married in 1953. Fred’s great passion in life was golf. He started by caddying at 9 years old at St. Croix Country Club. He wrote in his high school yearbook, the Broadcast, under life’s ambition: “golf pro.” He worked as a caddie from 1934-1939 and worked in the pro shop from 1940-1942. After the war, he returned to St. Croix Country Club and took over the superintendent’s job until 1950. He took some odd jobs after this, but was not happy until he returned to golf. Fred went to Northport in 1953 and worked there for 19 years with Marie at his side. He was the pro and she worked in the shop. When he felt that he had accomplished his goals for that course, he took a job at Kebo, Bar Harbor, in 1972. He worked there for 23 years, the first 19, as the club’s pro, and then as superintendent. He retired from golf at 69, but kept working when Tom Walsh hired him to work on the grounds of some of his hotels in Bar Harbor. He did this until he was 86. He was his happiest either working or playing at a golf course. He and Marie were married for 57 years, not only working together, but playing golf together for all of them. Fred was also a Shriner for many years.

He is survived by his niece, Connie Langley of Bangor; nephew, Walter Getchell of Levant; and nephew, Philip Getchell, also of Levant. Fred was predeceased by his parents; sister, Ruth Getchell; brother, Gerald; and beloved wife, Marie. Special thanks go to the loving staff at Dirigo Pines and to Judy Lilly who had been with him since Marie’s passing.

A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, May 25, at Ledgelawn Cemetery, Bar Harbor. Contributions in Fred’s memory may be made to Don and Beth Straus Center, P.O. Box 1130, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.