James Oliver McFarland
August 15, 1935 - December 16, 2023
James Oliver McFarland “Jim” of West Roxbury, MA passed away peacefully at home, entering Heaven on December 16, 2023 at the age of 88. Son of the late Bernard and Sarah (Duffy) McFarland of County Monaghan, Ireland. Dear brother of Kathleen, Paul, Joseph, Evelyn, and Felix. Jim leaves behind his beloved wife of 54 years, Eileen (Rice) McFarland, and their children: Bernard, Joy, Peter, Paul, John and eleven grandchildren. He will be missed by many nieces, nephews and extended family both near and far.
Jim was born in 1935 and raised on the family dairy farm built by his father in Co. Monaghan, Ireland. He began his career as a furniture builder in Ireland. At the age of 18, he immigrated to the United States sailing on the last steamship from Ireland. With $50 in his pocket he arrived in New York and began working immediately as a carpenter six days a week and never truly stopped. In 1969 Jim founded a construction business, James O. McFarland Inc., where his family continues to carry on his legacy. That same year, Jim built a home for his wife to-be as a wedding gift beside the church and school where he was actively involved.
Jim proudly served in the Irish Republican Army as well as the United States Army Reserves.
He treasured vacationing with his family by the ocean in Florida and Maine as well as trips back home to Ireland.
Jim will be remembered by those who loved him as being humble, positive, generous, and quick to offer an encouraging word.
Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Jim’s life by gathering for visiting hours at Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre Street West Roxbury, on Friday December 22nd from 4-7pm. Funeral from the funeral home on December 23rd at 9am. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Name Parish, 1689 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA at 10:00 am.
August 15, 1935 - December 16, 2023
James Oliver McFarland “Jim” of West Roxbury, MA passed away peacefully at home, entering Heaven on December 16, 2023 at the age of 88. Son of the late Bernard and Sarah (Duffy) McFarland of County Monaghan, Ireland. Dear brother of Kathleen, Paul, Joseph, Evelyn, and Felix. Jim leaves behind his beloved wife of 54 years, Eileen (Rice) McFarland, and their children: Bernard, Joy, Peter, Paul, John and eleven grandchildren. He will be missed by many nieces, nephews and extended family both near and far.
Jim was born in 1935 and raised on the family dairy farm built by his father in Co. Monaghan, Ireland. He began his career as a furniture builder in Ireland. At the age of 18, he immigrated to the United States sailing on the last steamship from Ireland. With $50 in his pocket he arrived in New York and began working immediately as a carpenter six days a week and never truly stopped. In 1969 Jim founded a construction business, James O. McFarland Inc., where his family continues to carry on his legacy. That same year, Jim built a home for his wife to-be as a wedding gift beside the church and school where he was actively involved.
Jim proudly served in the Irish Republican Army as well as the United States Army Reserves.
He treasured vacationing with his family by the ocean in Florida and Maine as well as trips back home to Ireland.
Jim will be remembered by those who loved him as being humble, positive, generous, and quick to offer an encouraging word.
Family and friends are invited to honor and remember Jim’s life by gathering for visiting hours at Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre Street West Roxbury, on Friday December 22nd from 4-7pm. Funeral from the funeral home on December 23rd at 9am. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Name Parish, 1689 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA at 10:00 am.
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