John Gerard MacArthur

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of John Gerard (Jerry) MacArthur to his eternal reward, fortified by the sacraments of the Catholic Church and the Apostolic Blessing on March 3, 2020 at the age of 92, in Westminster, California from complications after surgery. He was born February 24, 1928 at Alpine Ridge, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada. He was the youngest child of Angus MacArthur and Catherine (Campbell) MacArthur. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Raymond, his sister, Mary MacArthur O’ Handley, and his sister in law Isabell (MacArthur) MacMaster. He was also predeceased by his brothers in law, Archie, Jack, Angus Joe, Danny, Father John Francis, and Tony Campbell; sisters in law Annie DeBaie, Sister Catherine Therese Campbell, Mary Theresa DeBaie, and Florence Kelly.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years Margaret (Campbell) MacArthur of North East Mabou, their five children John Gerard Junior (Donna), Karen Marie Curley (Michael), Anne Bernadette Graham (Geoff), Eric Angus (Cristin), and Jeffrey Raymond (Monica). The joy of his life was his twelve grandchildren: John Gerard III (Darcie), and Nick MacArthur; Katie, John, and Patrick Curley; Brian, Daniel, and Lauren Graham; Ian and Eddie MacArthur; and Sophia and Duncan MacArthur. He is also survived by his Nephew, Raymond MacArthur (Louise) of Judique, and their children Meghan, Jillian, Mark, Carolyn, and Sean, and his sister in law Sadie Campbell Butscher of Fountain Valley California.

At the age of one, the family moved to Port Hood to benefit from the educational system. There he attended St. Peters Parish parochial school to sixth grade and into Port Hood Academy graduating from 12th grade. Under the guidance of Father Donald MacPherson, he attended and graduated from St. F.X. University in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics with a minor in math. This prepared him for a position as a physicist at the Naval Research Establishment in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada. His research was in underwater acoustics – mainly in detection of enemy submarines. After in-depth study of numerical analysis at the University of Toronto, he was instrumental in setting up a computation center at the Naval Research Establishment. The opening of this center generated much excitement locally and in the news media – it being the first computation center east of Quebec City.

Jerry was recruited in 1959 by TRW as a project engineer at their Beverly Hills facility where he was the first ever to automate a television station – CBS and designed the first digital clock to be used on satellites. During this time, he attended UCLA and studied the logical design of the digital computer. Beginning in 1964, Jerry spent three years as regional manager for Bunker Ramo/General Electric in Atlanta where his office automated power plants at the Tennessee Valley Authority, pipelines, textile plants, etc.

In 1967, Jerry relocated to California as director of Seismic for Scientific Data Systems (SDS) which was then acquired by Xerox Corporation. He founded his own company, Datmac, that provided computerized property management and software accounting packages. Finally, retiring in 2002 from Accucrete Company in Laguna Hills.

He was a fourth-degree member of Knights of Columbus, a member of Knights Templar of Jerusalem, and the Knights of St. John. He had true authentic interest in his Scottish family heritage and was involved with Scottish traditions and clan MacArthur. One of his greatest joys was getting together with friends to play music. He enjoyed a good game of cards (bridge/auction), a keen interest in photography, a love of sailing and the sea, and his annual return to Cape Breton.

Jerry was an intelligent, articulate, creative, talented, supportive, inspirational, and caring man who was loved by many and can never be replaced. May his soul rest in peace. Fois Siorraidh dha anam!

Viewing will take place at Heritage/Dilday Mortuary 17911 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA Monday March 9th at 5-9pm. Rosary at 7pm.

Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday March 10, at 11 am at Our Lady Help of Christians Chapel 9621 Bixby Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92841. Interment immediately following at Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery.

All are invited to a collation at Mile Square Park Golf Course.

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