User:Roryjoe54/sandbox

Joseph(Joe)MacPherson, born July 26th 1954 in the town of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. Son of Colin F MacPherson, Canadian military veteran of WW11, and a 44 year Miner in the underground coal pits of Glace Bay,son of Angus and Annie(McLean) McPherson of Bridgeport, and married to wife Jean(Piovesan) MacPherson, born in New Waterford N.S. to immigrant parents Rosina(Tonnelato) and Joseph Piovesan. Joe was one of 10 children born to Colin and Jean, one of whom died in early infantcy. His older sister Brenda died in 2004, Colin in 1983 and Jean in 1991.Joe attended school in Bridgeport where the family dwelt in company homes for most all their lives. He later moved on to high school in Glace Bay and attended ST.Michael's High. In early 1972, Joe, enlisted with the Canadian Forces and became an MSE Operator and Soldier .Serving only in Canada Joe MacPherson stayed with the CF till mid 1976. Upon release from the Forces, Joe went on a Hitchhiking trek across Canada. 1976 was Olympic year in Montreal where the journey had its first stop and stay. Joe travelled across Canada for the Spring and Summer of '72 and became a railway brakeman in Thunder Bay Ontario. Later that year he worked with The Hudson Bay Mining Co. in Flin Flon Manitoba. Returning back to his native home in GlaceBay NS in 1977, Joe then continued with Railroading, hiring on with CB Development Corp, "Devco". While working with the Railway, Joe became a lead brakeman on the highly popular Summer tourist attraction of the CB Steam Railway, better known as "Old 42".

Joe was very instrumental in developing and planning special activities in and around the GlaceBay area, including many special trips onboard "42" for friends and associates, and as well, organized regular summer festivals in the Mira River area and Gillis Falls. Mira Bash, became the Go To! Event of many summers under his direction. Joe married in the Fall of 1978 to A Sheila Dermody from Whitney pier. They had one child together (Lindsay) born May 1 1980. In 1983 they separated, divorced, and subsequently their marriage was Annulled. Lindsay currently resides in Ontario and has two children, Owen and Gianna.

Joe went on from railroading to relocate to Edmonton Alta. in 1980, and worked various occupations, including Insurance and high security, surveillance. After his marriage breakup, he returned again to Glace Bay. For the next 10 years Joe became a Very successful Auto Sales rep for a number of local dealerships, as well as taking his first foray into entrepeneurship as the owner of "21st Century Billiards" previously known as Casino Billiards. Joe then went forward over the next 20 years operating GlaceBay and area painting and in addition worked casually with the CB regional Housing auth. Joe has been in a common law partnership with Priscilla Hill for the last 30 + years. Priscilla has 2 children, Shane and Alison, and Alison is married to Michael Mailman and Alison has one daughter, Ava! Joe and Priscilla are very proud to spend as much of their time as possible with them as they now have moved closer and since 2011 have resided in the Halifax area. Joe and Priscilla moved to Hfx and became Building Superintendants, for a few years, while currently Joe is a Chauffeur/Concierge/Doorman with Shannex Corp. in Halifax at Parkland at the Gardens. Joe has written a book entitled, "In The Shadows Of The Shafts" a collection of Short stories and Poetry, chronicling the sentimentality of life as a Baby boomer in the neighbourhoods of Glace bay in the 50's-60's-70's. Self published it gives a keen sense of what life as a Boomer really meant amid the large families surrounding the Coal mines of the Bay. In 1983 Joe played the role of "Rory McInnis" in the Movie, "The Bay Boy" written and directed by Daniel Petrie, and was the first lead role by a then young 17 yr. old Keifer Sutherland. In 1998 Joe ran second to Reeves Matheson for the NDP Nomination in the riding of Glace Bay. Matheson subsequently was elected, but was soon to be found guilty of fraud and the seat was vacated. The seat then went to Liberal Dave Wilson, who held the seat for 11 years till he too, was found guilty of fraud and related charges and resigned from Politics. Joe also ran in 2 Municipal Elections in the Ward 6 district of GlaceBay..in 1985 and 1988. Coming close to victory, joe lost both campaigns by very slim margins. The latest and last involvement in the political arena, occurred in 2009 when the Liberals first election under the leadership of Stephen McNeil fell short to the NDP under Daryll Dexter.Joe was the Liberal candidate for the riding of Cape Breton centre. That riding was held by deputy Premier, Frank Corbett, who resigned in March 2015.