15 October, 2011
Peter MacGregor, 79, of Douglas, MA, formerly of Hopkinton, MA, passed away peacefully, in the presence of his children, Monday, September 5th,
2011 after an extended illness at Umass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, MA. He was the son of the late Elizabeth Clarke MacGregor Hunter and Forbes MacGregor and husband of the late Joan M (Teel) MacGregor. He is survived by his son, Glenn MacGregor and his wife Anna
of Millbury, MA, their two children, Santina and Antonio, his daughter, Debra MacGregor of Douglas, MA, his brother, John MacGregor and his wife Ann of Tucson, AZ, his brother Bruce and his wife Barbara of Wolfeboro, NH, his sister-in-law Colleen MacGregor of Ferndale, WA, his step-brother,
Christopher Cook and his wife Julie of Portsmouth, NH, his step-sister, Pamela Sobel and her husband Michael of Tiverton, RI, three nieces, one nephew, several great nieces and nephews, his Uncle, William Clarke and his wife Ann of Keene, NH, several cousins and many close friends.
He served his country as a member of the National Guard in the Yankee division and also in the U.S. Navy for four years during the Korean conflict as a crane operator, attaining the rank of aviation machinist mate 3rd class, on the USS Salisbury Sound AV-13, a.k.a. the “Sally Maru.” Peter attended Newton Trade School, Franklin Technical Institute and Boston University. He held several positions in the engineering field and
lastly, before retirement, at Framingham Welding and Engineering Corporation as an estimator.
Peter was a member of the First Community Church in Southborough, MA where he served on the Diaconate and was Head Usher for a number of years. He was a member and past commander of American Legion Post 202 of Hopkinton,MA. Peter was a brother of John Warren Masonic Lodge of Hopkinton, MA for 43 years. He served as master of the lodge in 1994. In 2009 he also became affiliated with Mumford River Masonic Lodge in Douglas, MA.
Early in his married life he began serving the community as a volunteer for the local Junior Achievement program. In 1972, Pete, along with
Joanie and Glenn, began his affiliation with Boy Scouting, which spanned over 40 years. In Hopkinton he started as a Webelos leader in Pack 2 and
followed Glenn into Troop 1 where his served in many positions including Scoutmaster and troop committee chairman. During these years he became active on the district training staff and worked on various training events teaching scouting skills and methods to adults. Then he started planning and running district-wide spring, fall and winter camporees. Pete became a unit commissioner in Hopkinton, then Chairman of thedistrict activities committee and the district committee. Pete volunteered in the kitchen at Camp Resolute for many years during National Camp School. In 2003, he attended a seminar at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, one of the greater honors for any Scouter. In 2005, he worked in one of the kitchen tents at the National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia. Pete completed Woodbadge in 1981. He received many honors including, District Award of Merit, the Commissioners Award and the Silver Beaver Award (this is the highest honor that can be bestowed to a Scout leader at a local level). Since 2000, there has been a Scouting Camp, in Guilford, VT, serving both the Boy and Girl Scouts of Hopkinton and beyond honoring the legacy left by Joan and Peter MacGregor.
A memorial service celebrating Pete’s life is planned for Sunday, October 23, 2011, in Southborough, MA, at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 15 Common Street (near the junction of routes. 30 and 85) at 3:00 PM. Scouting uniforms welcome. Donations in memory of Pete may be made to Knox Trail Boy Scout Council, 490 Union Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton.
