Obituary of John W. McFarlan

John Walker McFarlan, 71, died on July 1, 2024, after a long battle with cancer. He lived in Lower Makefield Township for nearly 40 years. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1952 and grew up in the Chicago area. He was the son of Tracy W. and Katharine P. McFarlan. John graduated from Hamilton College in upstate New York, and the Rochester Institute of Technology. He worked for several years in the printing industry before starting a business as an industrial photographer, a career that he loved. For many years he taught computer art at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, NJ. John was an optimist, always feeling that things would work out for the best. He was interested in connecting with people and as a result was a great conversationalist. He enjoyed reading about history, hiking, dining out, and following the Phillies and Eagles. He loved mornings where he could have coffee in bed, read the paper, gaze out the window, and, as he put it, "contemplate life." John was a devoted family man and treasured getting together for holiday celebrations and vacations in New Hampshire. He will be sorely missed by his wife Jan and daughter Tracy (Ken) and his sisters Susan (Jim) and Lynn (Chris), and his many nieces and nephews. A private memorial service will take place at Newtown Cemetery, Newtown, PA. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the James A. Michener Museum in Doylestown, PA. Arrangements are under the care of the FitzGerald-Sommer Funeral Home 17 S. Delaware Avenue Yardley, PA 19067. Condolences for the family can be left at www.fitzgeraldsommerfuneralhome.com.