Obituary of Donald Duncan McFarlane

Mr. Donald Duncan McFarlane was born in Keirstead Mountain on November 6, 1927, he was the son of the late Duncan Edward and Georgie Elvira (Chambers) McFarlane. His parents wanted him to be able to be close to a local school, so his parents purchased a farm in the Lower Millstream area. After finishing all school grades available in the Millstream, Don went to Sussex finishing a couple of additional grades. While working on the family farm, Don supplemented his income by picking up odd seasonal short term work like picking potatoes in Northern New Brunswick and further away areas like Ontario. About this time Dexter construction started building the TransCanada Highway and Don was hired on to work the loading shovel which he did for several years. In 1954, Don met Shirley Gerturde Jeffries from Jeffries Corner and they were married on March 3, 1956. In 1957, Don left Dexter Construction. With Shirley by his side, they acquired their Lower Millstream general store. While Shirley ran the general store during the day, Don picked up several jobs including: Helping his father with the mixed dairy farm, Driving delivery truck for Sussex Gingerale, Cutting Pulp on the Kierstead and Lower Millstream farms and Repairing and Painting homes in the local area. Don was also the caretaker for several cemeteries, including; the Lower Millstream -Lester cemetery, which his father looked after most all his life. In the long term, Don held several jobs including one at Nelson’s Monuments pouring and laying monument bases. At the Sussex Cheese and Butter, Don held several positions including driving the local general delivery units. Don and Shirley sold the Millstream General Store in 1977 and moved up to a new home on the family farm. During this time and just before moving to the farm Don started to drive a school bus making the daily bus route and several special event trips around New Brunswick. As his father did, Don was a Deacon of the Lower Millstream Baptist Church, becoming an Honorary Deacon. Don loved the Lower Millstream and rarely left it, but later in life he and Shirley made several trips visiting their sons as far away as Mile 76 on the Alaska Highway, Alberta and Ontario. They also enjoyed several vacation tours to places like New York, Nashville and Don's favorite, Myrtle Beach. In 1999, Don and Shirley moved into the town of Sussex where they would live until Don's passing. Don is survived by his loving wife, Shirley (Jeffries) McFarlane; their sons: David, Dale, Bob and his wife Susan and Wayne (Gaetanne Mallet); his grandchildren: Jeffrey McFarlane and Kelly, Jason McFarlane and his wife Caroline, Andrew McFarlane (Tara), Matthew McFarlane, Patrick McFarlane and his wife Isabel, Jamie McFarlane and his wife Maria, Justin Dotto and his wife Alexandra, and Mathew Dotto and his wife Julia; five great grandchildren: Payton, Gabriella, Jonathan, Noah and Olivia. Mr. Donald Duncan McFarlane of Sussex, passed away at the Sussex Health Centre on March 15, 2016 at the age of 88. Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176) where visitation will be held on Thursday 1-3 and 6-8pm. A Service Celebrating Don’s life will be held from Lower Millstream United Baptist Church on Friday, March 18, 2016 at 2:00 pm. The interment will take place in Riverbank Cemetery. If you are considering making a memorial donation the family has recommended the Canadian Cancer Society.