1934 - 2025 (90 years)
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| Name |
John M MCFARLAND |
| Birth |
25 Sep 1934 |
| Gender |
Male |
| Death |
24 Jan 2025 |
| Person ID |
I483 |
4 February 2018 |
| Last Modified |
15 Mar 2025 |
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| Notes |
- https://www.clcurry.com/obituaries/182925
Dr. John "Packy" McFarland
1934 - 2025
Dr. John "Packy" McFarland, of New Glasgow and formerly of Antigonish, a man of strong faith, passed peacefully away on January 24, 2025, at the age of ninety surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Bangor, Maine, he was the son of the late Francis Henry and Margart (Molloy) McFarland. He moved to Portland at an early age and attended St. Patricks Grammar School. He graduated from Cheverus High School, where he was a three-sport athlete playing football, basketball, and baseball. He attended St. Francis Xavier University graduating in 1956, where he excelled on both the football field and the basketball court.
After university, Packy joined the staff of St. Louis High school in Biddeford, Maine, where he taught English and coached basketball and football.
In 1957, he married Irene McGillicuddy and in 1960, they moved to Antigonish where lifelong friendships were formed. Their 40-year marriage blessed them with their own Xaverian family - eight children who all proudly wear X-rings. Packy and Irene enjoyed travelling across Canada visiting their eight children and grandchildren, and they were the best of golf buddies. The McFarland house was always open to family, friends, and St. F. X students (past and present), who all have many fond memories of Packy and Irene as the ultimate hosts.
In the fall of 1960 Packy joined St. F. X as the head basketball coach and assistant football coach. He would be a fixture at X for the next 40 years as a professor, as a coach, and as Director of Athletics. He was actively involved in all aspects of the Intercollegiate Basketball program both on a Provincial and the National level. He still found time to return to graduate school, and he received his Masters and Doctorate degrees from Springfield College in Springfield, Mass.
Packy was a founding member of the St. F. X. Varsity club and was actively involved in the establishment of the first Hall of Fame. Packy is a member of both the St. F. X and the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame. He was also an avid handball player. He and his partner, the late Connor MacNeil, played competitively in Canada, the US and Ireland. He served two terms as President of Handball Canada and was the commissioner in NS for many years.
Packy gave back to the community as President of the Antigonish Golf Club, helping to establish the Antigonish Minor Basketball Association, and serving as the president of the St. F. X Varsity Club. Packy also served as President of the Canadian Association of College Basketball Coaches of Canada and was AUAA Mens Basketball Chairperson for 11 years. Packy coached St. F. X. football for 9 years, winning the Vanier Cup in 1966, and was head basketball coach for 16 years.
Packy married Joan Anderson in 2005, and the draw of the golf course and daily t-offs drew them to Pictou County where they established a home together. Packy and Joan enjoyed travelling and cruising together, entertaining, Maritime music, dinner theatres, and numerous St. F. X. gatherings. Joan and her family will cherish these memories forever.
To quote the late Pat Walsh, "Dedicated, loyal, enthusiastic, and fair, John "Packy" McFarland is the embodiment of the Xavierian ideal as he continues to be an avid supporter of X athletics. From his student to his teaching to his administrative days Packy McFarland has given every ounce of his energy, talent, and care to both his students and his beloved alma mater. He has lived the Xavierian ideal."
He is survived by his wife, Joan; children, John, Mike, Taffy (Luc), Patty (Mike), Joey (Maria), Debbi (Kelly), David (Lidia), and Danny (Rozana); grandchildren, Branton, Emilie, Eric, Michael, Colin, Alison, Caterina, Nicholas, Brett, Noah, Melissa, Andrea, Ryan, Jake, and Juliana; great-grandchildren, Lily and Ava; brother, Paul (Sara); sisters, Ruth Neary and Jean (Peter) Small; Joans children, Tony (Darla), Mark (Cathy), Tara (Lee), and Tim (Crystal); and their children, Seamus, Emile, Liam, Claire, Nathan, Logan, and Lauren.
Besides his parents, he is predeceased by his wife, Irene; brothers, Francis and Hugh; sisters-in-law, Kathleen and Barbara; and brother-in-law, Joseph Neary.
Visitation will be held Thursday from 6 to 9pm in C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish. Funeral Mass will be held Friday in the St.F.X. Chapel at 11:00am with Reverend Peter MacDonald presiding. Reception to follow in St. Ninian Place.
Burial in St. Ninian Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Irene McFarland Memorial Bursary are gratefully accepted.
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| Sources |
- [S318] Ancestry.com, Maine Marriages, 1892-1996, (Online).
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