McFarland, Alfred W., Jr., 95, passed quietly at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital after a brief illness. Al leaves two sons, Frank W. McFarland of Malden and Thomas E. McFarland of North Chester MA. Four granddaughters, one grandson, two great granddaughters, one great grandson and numerous nieces and nephews. Al's wife Dorothy Miller McFarland, daughter of the late Frank and Lillian Miller also of Malden, passed away several years ago. Additionaly, he leaves his brothers Harold of Middleton and Edward of Hamstead, NH.
Alifelong native of Malden, he graduated from Malden High School and served in the National Guard during WWII. He drove for Service Bus Lines and operated the Malden to Revere route for 34 years. He later went to work at the Malden Public Library and was in charge of Custodial Services for many years until his retirement.
Al wore many hats in Malden having served as a Sergeant in the Auxiliary Police Dept. and spending many happy years as the Chairman of the Malden Parks and Recreation Dept. overseeing park staffing, training and operations. He had been active in the Forestdale Improvement Assoc. as well as numerous other city wide activities.
He, as a teenager, living in the Maplewood section of Malden, spent many winters at Towner's Pond cutting ice blocks, thus earning him the title of "Ice Man". He was one of only a few survivors of that era that could still identify the tools of the ice trade and how they were used. He later did a taped T.V. interview and described what it was like to be an ice man and driving a horse pulled ice wagon thru the streets of Malden selling ice to homeowners. Electric refrigerators were non existent at that time and ice was critical for keeping food from spoiling.
Al and his family lived in Malden most of his life. He had many fond memories of the "bon fires and skating parties" on Mooney's Pond, and hunting rabbits in "Decker's Woods", which is now Goldcliffe Terr. Al also had sad memories od the Great Pandemic which killed millions worldwide including two of his own brothers. Al was a witness to the incredible changes that the last Century produced; He believed the most significant advancement was the invention of Television, changing America forever. With his passing goes the last link and living memory of the Twentieth Century. He will be loved and missed by us all.
A private grave site ceremony will be held for family and close friends in the future.