Charles B. McFarlane

Charles B. McFarlane, 87, of Orleans, MA, passed away on Friday October 18, 2019. He is survived by his wife Sue Welch McFarlane of Orleans; MA, his daughter, Maureen McFarlane of Ridgefield, CT; his step-daughter Anne (Michael) Agostin of Randolph, NJ; his step-son Douglas (Gaylyn) Wheaton of Lithia, Florida; his sister Alice McFarlane of Lynn, MA; and grandchildren Nicholas and Sarah Agostin; and Jack, Andrew, and Joseph Wheaton. Charles was preceded in death by his parents Margaret and Charles McFarlane; his sister Jane Snow; his daughter Kathryn McFarlane; and his son Charles K. McFarlane. A service commemorating Charles’s life will be held at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church at 625 Main Street, Chatham, MA on November 16, 2019 at 11:00 am. There will be a private burial with Military Honors in the Massachusetts National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, or to the American Heart Association.

Charles was born and raised in Lynn, Massachusetts. After high school he enlisted and honorably served his country as a Buck Sergeant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and the Cold War from 1952-1956. He was an aircraft mechanic who specialized in both the rotary and jet engines of the Convair B-36 “Peacemaker,” which was a critical piece of the American Nuclear Deterrence. During his service, he was stationed in Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, Texas, and deployed to French Morocco in support of that strategy.

Following his military service, Charles completed a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree at Texas Christian University, then a second Master’s degree at Salem State University. He was a high school History teacher in Texas, California, and New York before becoming a High School Guidance Counselor. Charles worked as a guidance counselor first at Masuk High School in Monroe, CT, then for many years at Ridgefield High School in Ridgefield, CT, until his retirement in 2006. He was a beloved member of the Ridgefield High School Community and many of his former counselees remember him fondly, and especially appreciated his expertise as a College Counselor.

Since his retirement, he and his wife, Sue, have enjoyed their life in Orleans, MA, and have appreciated their many valuable friendships in the community. Charles loved the beauty of Cape Cod and being near the ocean, which he visited almost daily in his final years. He enjoyed sailing for a few of those years, and was a member of the Orleans Yacht Club. Charles will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He was always such a cheerful presence, full of good humor and warmth.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Christopher's Church, Chatham, MA on November 16, 2019 at 11:00 am. A burial will be held privately at MA National Cemetery. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com.