Douglas Alan MacPherson

Captain Douglas A. MacPherson passed away suddenly on October 31, 2025.

Doug was born on January 23, 1947 in Puerto Rico to Helen and Alan K. MacPherson. Doug’s father worked for Immigration services so the family lived in Puerto Rico, Italy, Salzburg, Texas til finally settling in Northern California. As a teenager Doug spent time as a deck boy on a Norwegian freighter. It was this time aboard ship that convinced him to pursue a career at sea. Doug was a graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point as was his younger brother, David. He earned his Unlimited United States Coast Guard Masters license while sailing on offshore cargo ships prior to becoming a ships pilot in Southeast Alaska. In his professional work he was known to be an excellent administrator and very good with numbers even serving a term as President of the Pilots association. He also served as a mentor and training pilot to many up and coming seamen and pilots.

Always a social animal, he enjoyed travel worldwide with friends and his wife Jeane. After retiring from piloting in 2012 he began touring with his motorcycle all over Europe and North and South America. He also had a real talent for languages and was fluent in Spanish & Italian.  If he couldn’t speak a language he could usually understand it pretty well. Doug was a real foody, before it became a thing. He could always be depended upon for fabulous restaurant recommendations…. In the most unexpected places… he always had his eye out for unusual and surprising meals.

He was known for his fine tenor voice and sang in the Sonoma Valley Chorale as well as the Valley of the Moon Chamber Ensemble. He also sang when working as a pilot and among friends. Doug was involved in the local community theatre in Sonoma as well as the Pets Lifeline animal shelter and he rescued a number of greyhounds. He was also a driver for Friends in Sonoma Helping.

Doug will be remembered for his quick wit, keen sense of humor and his infectious laugh. Doug is preceded in death by his parents Helen and Alan K, his wife Jeane and his brother David.   He is survived by his sister Janet, his niece Abby, (Dwaine), grandnieces Gina and Ella, as well as many cousins, his step-son Alex (Sunni) and his two greyhounds Elfie and Holly. Doug will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him. 

Friends are invited to a celebration of life for Doug on February 22, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Hall, Sonoma

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