Obituary of James H. McFarland

James H. “Jim” McFarland, 76, a Lansingburgh native and the beloved husband of 56 years to Carol A. Dandurand McFarland of Lansingburgh, peacefully entered into eternal life in the comfort of his own home unexpectedly on Friday, December 6, 2019.

Born in Troy, he was the son of the late Martin and Dorthea Neilson McFarland and was a graduate of Catholic Central High School.

Jim was a proud American and displayed such daily, whether it was by flying his flag, a banner on his car or the tattoo on himself. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1961 to 1964 when he received his Honorable Discharge for his service to our country.

Affectionately known to many of his family, friends and those he served in the community as “Jim”, he owned and operated McFarland & Son Contracting and was proud to have his son “Little Mac” or just plain old “Mac” to be there on a daily basis and work along his side and learn the trade from his Dad. In retirement, Jim took up a second career as a school bus driver with First Student Transportation where he was affectionately known as “Mr. America” by the students. He made sure that each one of the children that boarded his bus, were taken care of as if they were one of his own.

Jim had a terrific voice and proudly displayed it while performing as a member of the Uncle Sam Chorus or the Barbershop Quartet at many of the local variety and talent shows or parades or even alone to those who he and his family camped with for many years at the Jellystone Campgrounds. He was a communicant of St. Augustine’s Church in Lansingburgh.

In addition to his beloved wife Carol, Jim is the devoted father of Charlene Fredette, Carol Ann Raymond and James M. “Mac” (Antoinette) McFarland, all of Troy, loving  brother of Patricia Fredette of Lansingburgh and the late Charlotte Galipeau, cherished grandfather, “Pepa” of Allison, Andrew and Ashley Raymond, Aimee and Adam Fredette and Cierra, Noah and Mya McFarland, brother-in-law of Susan Goldey, Debbie Kirkland and Raymond Dandurand, Jr., also survived by several nieces and nephews and their families as well as many friends and fellow members of the Quartet and Chorus.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc, 565 Fourth Ave (at the corner of 115^th Street in Lansingburgh), Troy, NY 12182 which will be followed by his committal service with military honors at Noon at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Since Jim’s beloved wife Carol is a two-time breast cancer survivor, it is desired that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 501 New Karner Rd., Suite 2B, Albany, NY 12205 or on-line at www.komenneny.org in memory of James H. McFarland.

Please feel free to express your on-line condolences on Jim’s “Tribute Wall” tab.