Obituary of Julian B. McFarland Jr.

Julian B. McFarland Jr., passed away from the complications of a stroke on March 13th 2017. He would have turned 90-years-old the following day. Born in San Mateo, CA on March 14, 1927, Julian was the son of Julian B. McFarland, Sr., a chemical engineer and graduate of MIT and Mary (Kerr) McFarland, a graduate of Goucher College in Baltimore, MD. He spent an active youth studying and sailing in southern New Jersey where he graduated from Burlington High School. He attended Drexel University. Two years into his studies, "Mac" as he was affectionately known, put his education on hiatus for the U.S. Navy, training as an electronics technician in Monterey, CA, before joining the Naval Research Labs in Washington, DC. He returned to Drexel in September 1946, and met his future wife of 65 years, Patience Ann Simpers McFarland. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1950. He and Patience married the following year. Julian spent his 39-year industrial career exclusively with the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co, "Pennsalt" and its successor firms, Pennwalt, Lucidol and Atochem. From 1951-1959, he joined their newly-opened Calvert City, KY facilities while volunteering as City Clerk for Calvert City. His two oldest sons were born in Kentucky, shortly before Mac transferred to Houston, TX to serve as a plant manager and member of the Texas Chemical Council. Two more sons were born during that time. Julian returned to Kentucky for eight years, again answering the call to civic duty by serving on Paducah's Board of Adjustment and Planning and welcoming a fifth son to the family. A final transfer, to Geneseo, NY, provided Julian an active lifestyle and a means to again contribute to the community. Among other accomplishments, he was an active member and past president of the Geneseo Rotary Club, and proudly co-founded the Vince Lombardi Youth Football organization. Julian and Pat remained active members in the United Presbyterian Church of Geneseo. Together, and with an abundant group of fellow athletes, they golfed at the Livingston County Country Club and were active tennis players in various clubs. Upon retirement in 1989, Mac could be found riding his bike to and from tennis matches and golf games, gardening, and tinkering in the garage. There were few things he could not fix with his engineering know-how and love of a good puzzle. He and Pat became snow-birds, enjoying the outdoor activities abundant in Venice, Florida. They travelled enthusiastically throughout the United States and Europe. For the past eight years, Mac has resided at Morgan Estates Assisted Living Community in Geneseo. In addition to his wife, Mac is survived by his 5 sons, Andrew of Dansville, Edward (Michele) of Baltimore, MD, Paul (Judit) of Oxford, England, Douglas (Kim) of York, and Stephen of Macedon, 12 grandchildren, Caitlin, Ian, Julianne, Lilly, Isabel, Matthew, Sachi, Luxi, Sarah, Matthew, Natalie and Owen, brother, George (Sue) McFarland of Davidson, NC. He was predeceased by his beloved sister, Betty McFarland Bray of Palo Alto, California. Calling hours will be held on Friday, April 14, 2017 from 4-7 PM at the Rector-Hicks Funeral Home, 111 Main St. in Geneseo. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at 10 AM at the Central Presbyterian Church in Geneseo. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Central Presbyterian Church, 31 Center St., Geneseo, NY 14454.