MacPHAIL

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 04:50:59 :

Independent Journal
Saturday, June 27, 1953
Page 1

John MacPhail, 50, Dies In Hospital

John MacPhail, resident of the McPhail Fuel company and a former president of the San Rafael board of education, died early this morning at a local hospital. He was 50.

The well-liked and respected San Rafael businessman resigned from the school board in February because of his health which had been declining for over a year. A trustee since 1944, he had served as president from 1948-1950.

A native of San Rafael, MacPhail was also a past vice president and director of San Rafael chamber of commerce, a past member of the Marin Hospital district board, past president and a director of the Marin County Historical Society.

Member of a pioneer San Rafael family, he was associated in business with his father Neil and brother Graham who is vice president of the firm which also operates in Santa Rosa, Petaluma and Novato. He and his brother also had interests in the Fairfax Lumber company, the Marin Investment company, a real estate holding company which included property in Fresno as well as Marin county. His father Neil had established a livery company in San Rafael in about 1886 which was later given up when the family went into the fuel business.

MacPhail is survived by his widow Ruth, a former school teacher, and three sons, John Jr., now in Paris on vacation; Neil II and Bruce; his father Neil MacPhail, brother Graham MacPhail who left on a trip to New Orleans with his family yesterday and sister Miss Belle MacPhail, a Short school teacher.

In addition to his other activities, MacPhail was also a past chairman of the Camp Fire Girls camp committee, a trustee of the San Rafel Congregational church, a member of Marin Lodge No. 191 F&AM, Marin Lodge No. 200, I.O.O.F. and a life member of the San Rafael Parent Teacher Association.

On learning of MacPhail’s death, Thomas Boyd, president of the San Rafael board of education, said “I am shocked to hear of John MacPhail’s sudden passing. In my long association with him both as a personal friend and a member of the board of education, I became deeply impressed with his sincere desire to be of service to the community. His death will be greatly felt by those who knew and worked with him.”

Private family services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Harry M. Williams Mortuary, San Rafael, with the Rev. Dr. John Jefferson Canoles officiating. Interment will be at Mt. Tamalpais cemetery, San Rafael.

The family has requested that any memorial contributions be sent to the American Cancer Society.