Name: Visitation for Andrew Bruce McFarlane
Start: 2017-08-10T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-08-11T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Vander Plaat Colonial Home

Andrew Bruce McFarlane

Andrew Bruce "Mac" McFarlane, 87, of Saddle Brook, NJ passed away on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at home surrounded by his loving family. Born January 26, 1930 in Teaneck, NJ to Andrew and Mary (Docherty), he was raised in Rutherford, NJ and was a 1947 graduate of Rutherford High School lettering in three varsity sports - soccer, basketball and baseball.

In November of 1948, he enlisted in the US Marine Corps where he remained on continuous active service for 22 years until retiring in 1971 with the rank of Captain. During his service, he saw direct combat with the First Marine Division in Korea from September 1950 to August 1951 and serving twice in Vietnam, September 1966 to October 1967 as an Infantry Officer with the Third Marine Division and from April 1970 to January 1971 as an Infantry Captain. His courageous and valiant service earned him three Bronze Star Medals with combat "V" for heroic action during direct combat. The first was awarded in 1951 for his service in Korea as a Private First Class and two were awarded for his service in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. In 1970, he was the recipient of the Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat "V" for meritorious service and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. Additional service awards earned for his devoted service include the Combat Action Ribbon twice for direct combat in Korea and Vietnam, four Presidential Unit citations for Korea and Vietnam with the First and Third Marine Division, six battle stars on the Korean Service Medal and three battle stars on the Vietnam Service Medal.

Upon retirement from the Marine Corps in 1971, he became employed with the Bergen County Prosecutors Office in Hackensack as a County Investigator where he remained until his retirement in 1991 with the rank of Lieutenant of County Investigators. He was a retired member of the NJ Police Benevolent Associations - Local #221 Prosecutors Office and Local #600 NJ Retired.

From 1991 to 2002, he was a professional baseball scout with the Cleveland Indians, NY Yankees and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Mac held life memberships with V.F.W. Post 3484 of Saddle Brook, American Legion Post 415 of Saddle Brook, First, Second and Third Marine Division Associations, Military Officers Association of America and Korean War Veterans and Vietnam War Veterans of America. Other memberships included the Marine Corp League, The Chosin Few - First Marine Division during winter of 1950 North Korea, Marine Corps Officers Mustang Association, Khe Sanh Veterans of Vietnam, NJ Vietnam Veterans Memorial & Education Center, founder and charter member of the Rutherford High School Athletic Hall of Fame and committee member of the Greater Bergen County YMCA of Hackensack annual Sports Awards Banquet where he served from 1993-2005 and in 2001 received the Richard Poor Service to the Community Award.

His tireless and dedicated service to the community included serving as a youth baseball coach with the Saddle Brook recreational programs and American Legion Baseball League, field Manager of the Saddle Brook Colonial Baseball Team of the Metropolitan Baseball League as well as league Commissioner, President of the NJ College Baseball Association, CYO Boys Basketball coach at St. Philip the Apostle Church and founder and Commissioner of the Saddle Brook Boys/Girls Recreation Soccer Programs.

His exceptional athletic ability earned him induction into the following - Rutherford High School Athletic Hall of Fame Association, Metropolitan Baseball League Hall of Fame, Bergen County Semi-Pro Baseball Hall of Fame and the Saddle Brook Colonials Baseball Team of the Metropolitan Baseball League Hall of Fame.

Beloved husband of the late Joan (Cartier) McFarlane. Loving and devoted father of Andrew Bruce McFarlane and Douglas McFarlane and wife Annmarie. Cherished grandfather of Kelsey and Ryan McFarlane. Dear brother of the late May. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family will receive relatives and friends Thursday and Friday, August 10 & 11, 2017, 4-8 PM at Vander Plaat-Caggiano Funeral Home, 13-31 Saddle River Road, Fair Lawn, NJ, 201-797-3500, www.vpfairlawn.com. A Funeral Mass is planned for Saturday, August 12, 2017, 10:30 AM at St. Philip the Apostle R.C. Church, 488 Saddle River Road, Saddle Brook, NJ. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Andrew to the Marine Corps - Law Enforcement Foundation, 273 Columbus Avenue, Office #10, Tuckahoe, NY 10707 would be appreciated.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Record/Herald News on Aug. 10, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Andrew McFarlane

Sponsored by Vander Plaat Colonial Home.

9 Entries

Elaine Fish

February 19, 2018

Hi cousin Andrew and Douglas, I'm Elaine McFarlane. My Dad "Ronnie" was your father's cousin. He was a son of the oldest brother William. He always talked fondly of Bruce. Respected him to the uttermost. Very proud when my husband joined the Marine Corps. My husband will be astounded by your dad's career. Unfortunately my father died October 2016. My Aunt Arlene is still living in Florida. I have recently gotten in contact with Cathy McFarlane, one of Uncle Jimmy's kids. If you ever want to reach out my # is 254-760-6068 and my email is [email protected]. God bless and I know our Dad's are swapping stories in heaven. Or more realistically my father is talking the ears off yours!

Donald Hinman

August 21, 2017

Andrew & Douglas I was deeply saddened when I learned of passing of your father. He was great man & Marine. I served with your father when he was a Gunnery Sergeant at Marine Barracks NS Bermuda & saw him aboard ship while enroute to Vietnam 1967. He was a 2ndLt with Golf Co. 2nd Bn 3rd Marines & I was with Echo Co. 2/3. We met again at a reunion in DC & we had several phone conversations through the years in. My prayers are with you both & the entire family. God bless you all.
Donald E. Hinman
[email protected]

edward devine

August 13, 2017

As a kid who grew up in Saddle Brook I knew
Mr McFarlane.

Some might say i was a bit of a knucklehead or possibly worse.

Mr McFarlane always took the time to speak to me. Looking back I think he had a second sense.

Actually, after learning more about his life i now know that he must have had about 50 senses but that's another story. He treated me well.

Rest in Peace Coach

August 11, 2017

Bruce and I graduated from Rutherford High school in the same 1947 class. He was the founding member of the Rutherford High School Hall Of Fame and was a friend for over 70 years. He was a loyal friend to all who knew him and a true patriot. Bruce will be missed by his many, many friends, Rest easy Mac . Bill Hillhouse

Paul Cardone

August 11, 2017

Condolences sent. Had the pleasure of working with him at the BCPO. A true professional and a gentleman.
May he R.I.P.

Bob Kops

August 10, 2017

One of the most honorable people, I ever had the pleasure to work with in the B.C.P.O. He truly exemplified the character and principles of a Marine, even after his active service. Thank you "Mac" and be forever with the good Lord.

Terry alver

August 10, 2017

Great man, worked under him in the prosecutor's office. Humble , diligent , thoughtful .

August 10, 2017

I am so sorry for the sad loss of your loved one.May the God of comfort be with you and your family during this difficult period.

August 10, 2017

This was a real man. I worked for him a number of years and admired him tremendously. My father was also a Marine and I could relate to his way of doing things. He was always polite and treated everyone fairly all the time. Never played favorites. I'm saddened by this but also grateful I knew him. In a quite way he was a big influence on so many young men.

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