Peter J. McFarland Jr.

CAPE ELIZABETH – Peter J. McFarland, Jr., 89, of Cape Elizabeth, died peacefully at home on Friday Oct. 7, 2022. He was born in Portland Jan. 16, 1933, the son of Peter Joseph, Sr. and Margaret (Quinn) McFarland.

Peter grew up in Portland and graduated Portland High School in 1952. Upon graduation, he served three years (1952-1955) in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne. One of Peter’s greatest honors was serving his country during the Korean War. He simply loved jumping out of planes such as The Flying Boxcar and Globemaster during his training at Fort Benning, Ga. and then in Japan. Peter continued to serve in the Army Reserve 76th Division for another 17 years (1975-1995) retiring as a First Sergeant.

He married Margaret Cardone in 1957 sharing 65 years of marriage and raising six children who they deeply love. Peter was immensely proud of his children and enjoyed spending time with them. He was a constant staple in their lives, generous with his time or a helping hand with anything they needed.

Peter was also a Lieutenant with the Portland Fire Department (1957-1977), serving for 20 years at the old Spring Street Station, currently the Portland Fire Museum. After he retired, he went to work for Central Maine Power for another 17 years and, once again, retired.

Peter enjoyed hunting and fishing and working on projects around the house. In his retirement years, he enjoyed spending time at the Portland Fire Museum attending dinners and gatherings. What gave him the most joy was his family. He was a family man through and through. Never missing an opportunity to surround himself with those he loved. Attending his grandchildren’s activities kept him young at heart and the silliness he exuded in his later years have created some of their greatest memories. Most recently he has been able to experience the joy of being a Great-Grandfather.

Mr. McFarland was predeceased by two sisters, Mary Oblinger and Sister Mary Pebrina (Auntie Babe).

He is survived by his sister, Ann Crosby of Virginia; his wife, Margaret; his children, Peter J. McFarland III of Standish, Paul G. McFarland of South Portland, Mark E. McFarland and his wife Susan of Windham, Stephen M. McFarland of Cape Elizabeth, Maureen Hondel and her husband Joseph of Waterboro and Susan E. Smyth and her husband Jamie of Windham; his grandchildren, Melissa Couture, Peter J. McFarland, IV, Richard McFarland, Natasha McFarland, Samantha Hondel, Matthew Hondel, Hannah Smyth, Ryan Smyth and Sarah Smyth; and his five great-grandchildren. Peter was so very proud of each and every one of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland on Thursday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 124 Cottage Road in South Portland on Friday Oct. 14 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

To view Peter’s memorial page or share an online condolence, please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com.

In lieu of flowers,

donations can be made to:

Operation Reboot Outdoors located here in Maine at operationrebootoutdoors.com or

The Wounded

Warrior Project at

woundedwarrierproject.org or

St. Jude’s Children’s

Research Hospital at

wwwstjude.org