JOHN GRAY MCFARLANE C.A. John Gray McFarlane passed away peacefully on January 4th, 2009 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 83 years old. John will be lovingly remembered by Joyce, his wife of 60 years and his children John, Denver, CO, Mary Lou (Dean) Portage La Prairie, MB and Gordon (Barbara), Calgary, AB, and his grandchildren Adam Murray, Portage La Prairie, Lindsay (Matthew) Carter, Calgary, Sydney Murray, Portage La Prairie, Johnathan, Jessica, Christopher McFarlane all of Denver and Christine and Matthew McFarlane of Calgary and many nieces and nephews. Also left to mourn his passing is brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dr. Hugh and Mary Sutherland, Sarnia, ON and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Gordon and June King, Edmonton, AB. John was predeceased by his parents, Rev. Hugh and Lillian McFarlane, brother Dr. Ronald McFarlane and sister Jean Lawson. John was born in London, Ontario, coming to live in Winnipeg before he was one year of age. He grew up in the West End of Winnipeg on Arlington St. and attended Laura Secord and Gordon Bell High School. After high school, John went on to United College where he admitted to spending most of his time playing pool. He and his good friend Bruce Young decided to join the Royal Canadian Air Force where he became a Navigator. When the war ended, he began a career as an accountant with George A. Touche and Co. After he became a C.A., he joined the firm of H.L. Burch and Co., later becoming a partner in Burch, Findlay, McFarlane. During these years he wrote articles for the Free Press and wrote a book relating to Income Tax. After retiring from the firm, he began the first of several brief positions with the Conservative Party of Manitoba. His interest in politics was lifelong and he enjoyed a good debate. Before retiring at age 75, he worked as an Auditor for the Law Society of Manitoba for 14 years. John's life was filled with much happiness and success, for which he was always grateful. He had many hobbies and interests; woodworking, golf, music, especially the bagpipes and became a piper in the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. John together with Joyce and his children loved to travel and they had many family ski holidays. Happy times were spent with friends and family at the lake, both at Ponemah and Clearwater Bay where he could escape out in his boat for endless hours of fishing. The last four years of Dad's life were spent at the Golden Links Lodge and Mom and all our family want to thank the staff for their tremendous care and compassion which allowed Dad to live out his life with dignity and grace. Mom has been blessed with wonderful supportive friends who have been there for her through these last few difficult years. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Fort Garry United Church, 800 Point Rd. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Golden Links Lodge, 2280 St. Mary's Rd., Winnipeg, MB R2N 3Z6 or the Alzheimer's Society, 10-120 Donald St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 4G2 Thomson In the ParK 925-1120 Send expressions of sympathy to www.mem.com

As published in the Winnipeg Free Press on January 14, 2009