Obituary of F. Garth MacFarland

Colonel (Retired) F. Garth MacFarland, USAR, of Maple Avenue, Canajoharie, New York.

Born on October 23, 1936, at Schofield barracks, Hawaii, he was the son of Colonel John J MacFarland and Harriet McDonald MacFarland. He attended St. John’s Academy in Virginia and was a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, NY. Garth excelled in multiple sports while attending Christian brothers Academy in Albany NY.  He was selected to be All State and All Albany in three sports.  Garth was also a graduate of Siena College with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He then obtained his master’s degree from Army War College. He moved to Canajoharie in 1969.

Colonel MacFarland proudly served in the US Army from 1957 to 1989. He was also owner of the Meehan agency in Richfield Springs, New York.

He was president of the Canajoharie school board for many years, Village Trustee for eight years, and a member and officer of the Fort Rensselaer /VanAlstine Club.

Garth enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, great grands and his friends and extended family.

On October 29, 1957, at Saint James Church in Albany, NY, F. Garth MacFarland was married to Nancy Manning whom he met in the second grade.

Col. MacFarland is survived by his wife of 66 years Nancy “Nan” MacFarland of Canajoharie, NY, Lt. Gen. (R) Sean B. MacFarland and Lynda of Texas, Joseph G MacFarland of Massachusetts, Lt. Col. (R) Christopher J MacFarland and Lisa of Alabama, daughters; Tracey Stetin and Daniel of Canajoharie, NY, Alicia M. Arbuthnot and Rick of Tennessee, Erin B. Greene and Charles of Florida, and 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 4:00-7:00 PM, on Wednesday January 17, 2024, at Houghtaling and Hanley Funeral Home, 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Thursday January 18. 2024, at 10:00AM at Our Lady of Hope, Reid Street, Fort Plain, NY 13339. The burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Garth, please consider Tunnel to Towers,2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306, or the Wounded Warriors Project, 370 7th Ave Ste 1802, New York, NY 10001