Douglas Walter MacFarlane

A spirit that could light up any room has sadly left us. Douglas Walter MacFarlane died peacefully in his home on 9/1/2021. Doug was the son of John and Elizabeth (Lee) MacFarlane born 9/30/1942 in Rahway NJ. He graduated Lakewood HS in 1960. He attended Trenton Technical School for tool design. He enlisted in the US Navy 3/31/1964 and remained active till 1972 where he then went into the Reserves finally retiring with honors as a Master Chief Petty Officer 2/12/1985. He had a successful career at JCPL/GPU starting as a control room operator. He worked his way up and finally retired in 2001.

He met his forever girl Susanne Kelly while on leave in Chicago and they married in 1967. Surviving in addition to his wife Sue are his daughter Jennifer Nikander, son Thad MacFarlane, son Patrick MacFarlane and wife Noelle and his beautiful granddaughter Stella, one brother Alan and many nieces and nephews.

Doug was always active in serving his community. He was on the Board of Education in Waretown where his children attended as well as serving as an Auxiliary policeman. One of his favorite hobbies was stained glass and always putzing in his garage. But his biggest passion was music and singing. The tenor was in the USN Blue Jacket Choir, our church choir and Barbershop.

Our loss is great but God’s is greater. He will be sorely missed.

Services will be held Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Dr., Manahawkin, NJ. A Funeral Home service will be held on Friday, September 10, 2021 from 11:00-11:30 with prayers at 11:30. Burial will follow at the Brig. General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Rd. Wrightstown, NJ

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Assn. (see donation link below)

To leave online condolences and fond memories of Doug for the family, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com