McFarland, former NARH administrator, Dies at 84
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McFarland was employed for 18 years at the hospital, first as controller and assistant administrator then being named administrator before his retirement in 1982. He had a long career in finance, including as principal accountant of the former North Adams State College and a trustee of its foundation, and as business manager of the Williamstown School District.
He was veterans agent for the town of Williamstown for 21 years until retiring in 1987. He was active in many civic organizations, including as vice president and member of the board of the directors of the former North Adams Chamber of Commerce and its Fall Foliage Parade Committee.
McFarland had retired to the state of Florida in 1987. He later returned to the area and was residing at The Village at Fillmore Pond in Bennington.
Born in Pittsfield on May 4, 1924, son of George A. and Margaret Murphy McFarland, he graduated from the former Williams High School in Stockbridge in 1941 and from the former Berkshire Business College in 1942.
An Army veteran of World War II, he served in Europe with the 4th Armored Division and received five battle stars for campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, the Ardennes and Central Europe. He was awarded the Distinguished Unit Badge and a Certificate of Merit.
McFarland first worked for the Berkshire Street Railway in Pittsfield beginning in 1945 and then in North Adams as cashier and superintendent.
He was president of the North Adams Rotary Club in 1970 and received the Paul Harris Fellowship in 1986. He was appointed as corporators of North Adams Hoosac Savings Bank in 1970, trustee in 1976, to the board of investment in 1982 and honorary trustee in 1988. He served as treasurer of the United Fund of North Adams; as trustee of the North Adams State College Foundation, on the Berkshire County Welfare Advisory Board and as president of the Northern Berkshire Home Health Aide Association.
He was also on the board of directors of the Northern Berkshire Boy Scout Council and treasurer of the Williamstown Little League. He also coached Little League and youth basketball. After moving to Florida, he was a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels Program and was a volunteer in the Englewood office of the Sarasota sheriff's department.
He and his wife, the former Florence Evelyn Whitman, were married on April 9, 1947, in Pittsfield.
Besides his wife, he leaves two sons, Paul McFarland of Williamstown and Daniel McFarland of Yorktown, Va.; a daughter, Marcia McFarland Gray of Clarksburg, and four grandchildren
A brother, George A. McFarland, is deceased.
FUNERAL NOTICE — Services for Mr. McFarland will be private. Burial will be in Eastlawn cemetery in Williamstown. There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made to North Adams Regional Hospital in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, Central Chapels, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247.
