Obituary of William Joseph McFarland

William Joseph McFarland passed away on September 5, 2020.

Born to Charles and Marcella McFarland on March 12, 1931, Bill remained a native New Yorker at heart. He was raised in Queens, New York and resided on Long Island, NY and in Montville, NJ and Boynton Beach, FL.

Bill was blessed. He met the love of his life, Joan Sanders, at Rockaway Beach when he was 16. After graduating from Power Memorial High School in New York, he served his country in the Marines and subsequently became successful trading bulk pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. In 1970 he joined H. Reisman Corporation, becoming partner in 1976. He founded Traxx International Corporation in 1982, serving as CEO/President until he retired in 1993. He was especially proud to be among the first US business delegations to participate in the Canton Trade Fair in the People’s Republic of China. While trading goods around the world, he made friends in the countries he visited, who then became frequent guests in the McFarland home.

Joan and Bill were married September 25, 1954 and together raised their 5 children. In his youth he played basketball in Queens and rode the waves at Rockaway, Robert Moses and Jones Beach. He shared his passion for travel with Joan, loved skiing at the family vacation home in Stratton, VT, played golf and remained a devout Roman Catholic and diehard NY Giants fan throughout his life.

Bill was the devoted husband of 65 years to his wife, Joan (Sanders); father of Doreen (Steven Pribis), Sean (Donna Warfield), Jane (Rick Petty), Joan (Matthew Devine) and William (Patricia Amen); grandfather to Michael, Matthew, Sean, Robert, Alec, Seton, Carter, William, Charles, Tanner and Andrew; great grandfather to Emma and Joseph. He is also survived by his sister, Marcella, brother, Joseph (Sandra Familari) and numerous loving nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Beatrice (William Jacob).

A Memorial Mass will be held on June 4, 2021 at 10AM at Saint Cassian Church with interment to follow at Immaculate Conception Cemerty. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bethesda Hospital Foundation, Boynton Beach, Florida.