Sumner F. “Sandy” McFarland Jr., 87, of Limerick, died on July 30 at his home after a long illness. He was born in South Bristol on July 2, 1928, the son of Sumner and Helen (Mason) McFarland Sr. He was educated in local schools and attended Lincoln Academy. He married his first wife, Catherine Cole, in 1946, and together they raised a family in Billerica, Mass.
Sumner always worked hard as a carpenter and contractor. He owned and operated S&C Construction Company, building homes from Massachusetts to Maine. They moved to Maine full time in 1974. After his wife passed away, he met Charline Deshaies, who lost her first husband, and they have made their home together in Limerick since 1983
Sandy had been a member of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Massachusetts, and has since been a member of St. Matthew’s Church in Limerick. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and actually helped start the chapter at St. Matthew’s. He enjoyed traveling, dancing, and camping in his spare time. He also liked going up north at his step-son’s camp. He shared much carpentry knowledge with his sons and son-in-law, building houses from the ground up. He was always the first one there to help anyone in need. Above all, he loved spending time with his large, loving family.
Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Catherine (Cole) McFarland; daughter, Perry Lynn McFarland; brothers, Roland, James, and Marshall; and sisters, Verona, Victoria, Geraldine, and Beryl.
Surviving are wife, Charline Deshaies McFarland of Limerick; siblings, Rita Sewall and husband Bob of Damariscotta, Arthur McFarland of Pemaquid, and Evelyn Ball and husband Joe of Round Pond; children, John McFarland and wife Treva of Florida, Catherine Felt and husband Chuck of Milton, N.H., Sumner David McFarland and wife Alice of Goffstown, N.H., Gail Cossar and husband George of Waterboro, James McFarland and wife Annette of Waterboro, Laurie Olson and husband David of Litchfield, N.H., and Tracey DuPaul and husband Scott of Waterboro; sister-in-law, Donna Cook, whom he raised, of Derry, N.H.; stepchildren, Denise Roux and husband Don of Sanford, Stephen Deshaies and wife Linda of Hollis, Ronald Deshaies and wife Cindy of Porter, Mark Deshaies and wife Lori of Limerick, Lisa Nava and husband Tony of Waterboro, Jody Deshaies of Parsonsfield, and Brian Deshaies and wife Janet of North Reading, Mass.; 40 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be from 5-8 p.m., Thurs., Aug. 13 at the Watson, Neal, and York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St., Cornish. A memorial Mass will be at 9:30 a.m., Fri., Aug. 14 at St. Matthew’s Church, 19 Dora Ln., Limerick.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 U.S. Rt. 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.
