West Springfield, VA- Paul McFarland, 83, formerly of Portland, Maine, passed away on October 24, 2025.
Paul was born on October 22, 1942, in Portland, Maine, the son of the late Francis Henry McFarland Sr. and Margaret (Molloy) McFarland. He grew up in Portland’s Libbytown neighborhood and graduated from Portland High School with the Class of 1960.
He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada. Shortly after completing his education, Paul enlisted in the United States Army, where he began a distinguished career in service to his country. Through dedication, discipline, and leadership, Paul rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before his retirement.
Paul married the love of his life, Sara (Persons) McFarland, in Hillsdale, Michigan in 1975. He was deeply proud of his Maine roots, but his military career and life with Sara also brought him to many places, forming treasured friendships along the way. He and Sara returned to New England frequently for visits with his extended family, Thanksgiving Day high school football games, and Portland High School reunions as recently as September.
Paul had a passion for genealogy and spent countless hours researching and celebrating his family’s history. He made several trips to Ireland to further his research and to visit extended family. Paul enjoyed playing cribbage, closely followed sports throughout his life, and gave back to his community through many years of AARP volunteer work and serving on the Board of Governers for his alma mater, St. Francis Xavier University.
Paul was predeceased by his three brothers: Francis Jr., John, and Hugh McFarland.
He is survived by his wife, Sara McFarland of VA; his sisters, Ruth Neary of CT, Jean Small and her husband Peter of South Portland and Ruth Neary of CT; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews. He was treasured by his nieces and nephews for his storytelling, garnering undivided attention and always leaving the listener wanting more.
Prayers will be recited at 9am on Friday, November 14, 2025, at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland. Burial with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery, South Portland. To view the livestream of the Mass of Christian Burial, please visit www.facebook.com/ConroyTullyWalker. The video will begin at 9:50am.
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Prayers : Friday, November 14, 2025 9:00 am - 9:30 am
Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home of South Portland
1024 Broadway
South Portland, Maine 04106
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1024 Broadway,South Portland, Maine 04106
Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, November 14, 2025 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Holy Cross Catholic Church
124 Cottage Road
South Portland, Maine 04106
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124 Cottage Road,South Portland, Maine 04106
Graveside Service: Friday, November 14, 2025 11:30 am - 12:00 pm
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PaulMcFarlandGraveside Service
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1461 Broadway,South Portland, Maine 04106
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I will miss our chats and your presence. Rest in peace.
May he rest in peace!
Rest in peace. Your duty complete.
I did so love watching your loving care with your dear Sara.
I will always remember Paul’s devotion to sweet Sara, their daily walks, his kindness to our sister Holly, and our conversations over lunch with our loved ones at Silverado. He’s our angel now.
Had the pleasure of being a teammate of Paul on the 1963 St F X undefeated football team. He was a steady and reliable place kicker on that team whose kicks provided the margin of victory in some close contests. His nickname on the team was “Joe the toe” and Paul was one of the most respected and well-liked guys on the team. That team ended up in the Canadian sports hall of fame and one could say with some accuracy that Paul “Joe the toe” McFarland booted us in there. RIP
It was always a pleasure seeing and talking with Paul as he visited sweet Sara. We’ll always remember that infectious smile and the attention that he gave to Sara. May he Rest In Peace! 🙏🏽❤️
Gladys & Ron Pemberton
A very dear and unassuming noble man who I came to know and appreciate, as we and our loved ones, gathered around Silverado’s third floor lunch table. Rest in Peace.
Paul was head of the Grass Roots Cribbage Club 89 and member of the American Legion Post 176 for almost 30 years where we played weekly. He will be missed by all in the Cribbage World.
Paul was a great friend, a tax professional, and held the Grassroot cribbage club in Springfield VA together for many years.
Paul was a great friend, a tax professional, and held the Grassroots cribbage club in Springfield VA together for many years.
He will be missed by many.
Former 1960 Football Teammate, one of the best Placekickers in the State of Maine.
Rest in Peace, Paul
Rest in Peace, Paul
You were a good friend, and will surely missed by everyone you touched.
I will miss you, your friends from Cribbage are saddened by your loss.
For every game that is played you will be there.
Rest in Peace.
Till we all meet again.
Mark O’Connor
VA-
Paul – You were my Intelligence Officer at Ft Belvoir and an inspiration to me as we worked together to implement state-of-the art Army tactical computer systems. You and Sara were so instrumental in our lives for my Diana and daughters Kelly and Cindy as they lived almost next door to you both in Occoquan, Va. I fondly remember our years of racquetball and tennis outings instead of a lunch break at work or on the road. We travelled so many places together, even via light plane to deliver our latest prototype. It was just weeks prior to your passing that daughter Cindy called you to bring you her latest Chicken Soup and rolls but you said: Not today – but how about a Rain Check? My entire family fondly remembers your joining us for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners these past few years – and always around your important visiting time with Sara. When my Diana – (married for 55 years) passed in Sep 2023- you came to her 80th birthday and her celebration of life and joined us at our home to meet and see so many from 4 countries and 11 states that came to pay their respects. You were always a most welcome guest. Now – unfortunately for me, I know now why you have not answered my emails and phone messages late October while I had to be away. You told me earlier you were a bit apprehensive about the hernia surgery, and we chatted about your care needs and at same time – your pleasure staying at the BrightView Senior establishment. Paul – may your peace be forever now – and just perhaps – you might run across my Diana up there – she will cordially greet and hug you should you cross paths in that Heavenly place. I am greatly blessed from our relationship and the many wonderful times we spent from 1980 to recent phone calls emails early October of this year. REST IN PEACE – my good friend. Bob Ryan 540-967-1233. Still here in Louisa, VA We will sadly miss you.