Jeffrey Eaton McPherson

1944-2026

Granby, MA – Jeffrey Eaton McPherson, 81, passed away peacefully on Easter morning, April 5, 2026, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, MA.

Jeffrey was born December 16, 1944, in Holyoke, MA, son of George E. Jr. and Constance (Eaton) McPherson. He attended schools in Granby, MA until the 8th grade, then going on to graduate from Deerfield Academy in 1963, the University of Massachusetts, class of 1963-64, Springfield Technical Community College in 1986 with an associate’s degree in Fire Science and Safety Technology and in recent years he received his bachelor’s degree from Columbia Southern University while taking courses online at the age of 70.

Jeffrey served his country honorably in the United States Air Force from April 16, 1965, to October 1968. He completed his Basic training in – Lackland AFB, Texas, attending Tech school at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, Mississippi, Ground Radio Repair AFSC 304X4. He was also assigned to both McCoy AFB, Orlando Florida - 729 Tactical Control Squadron, Detachment 1 and was Reassigned Pleiku Ab, Pleiku VietNam.

For 25 years, he worked as a Senior Safety Specialist for National Grid, USA, retiring in 2016. In earlier years during high school and winters, he worked on the Granby Highway Department. Other jobs he held over the years were at Dressel’s Service Station, Trailer Truck driver for D&M Oil, Ware MA and driver for Glad Foods, Chicopee MA. He also Worked at Digital Equipment Corporation in Westfield for 20+ years as a Computer Maintenance Technician and Environmental and Safety Specialist.

Jeffrey leaves his loving wife of 56 years, Candace R. (White) McPherson of Granby, MA; daughters, Kristy Brock and Husband Tim of Harrisburg ,PA, Heather McPherson and Carl Parylak of Granby, MA and Gretchen McPherson and husband Kris Jamrog of Conway, MA; niece; Sheri Elizabeth (McPherson) Pessagno and husband James; grandchildren; Rhys Seiffert, Roslyn Enders and husband Travis, Dustin McPherson-Parylak.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Douglas R. McPherson and his sister, Andrea “Nan” McPherson.

Jeff was very much involved in his beloved town of Granby, MA. He was a 40 + year member of the Granby Firefighters Association where he participated on Muster Team, served as Deputy Chief for 20+ years, Served as EMT, and was the Emergency Management Director for 10 years.

He also Served as a Member of the School Committee, as Chair of the School Regionalization Committee between South Hadley and Granby and on the Board of Selectmen. Jeff was also a life Member of Church of Christ Congregational, Granby MA, the National Safety Council, Safety Council of Western Massachusetts where he served on Board of Directors and Life Member Granby Firefighters Association.

Graveside service will be held on Friday April 24 at 10:00 am with military honors, at West Street Cemetery, Granby, MA followed by a Celebration of Jeff's life from 11am -1pm at the Parish house adjacent to the Church of Christ Congregational located at 235 East State Street, Granby, MA. Brunelle Funeral Home in Chicopee, MA is entrusted with the arrangements.