It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Morley Macfarlane on Thursday, July 22, 2021 after a lengthy battle with dementia.
Morley was the beloved son of the late Alexander Matheson Macfarlane and the late Elsie Annie Robinson of Brandon, Manitoba. The husband of Marie Macfarlane (Donahue) 1958-1982 and Charlotte Macfarlane (Boast) 1993-present. The devoted father of 3 children, Leanne (Robert Hand), Lori Macfarlane and Scott Macfarlane.
He will be missed by his grandchildren Amy (Aaron Anderson), Andrew, Matthew, Leah, Carissa, Michael Nichols (Lisa Bonari), Tegan (Aidan Maguire) and Liam Hand; as well as 5 great grandchildren: Dylan and Riley Anderson, Tavin Mihaychuk, Emmett and Quinn Maguire. He was well loved by his niece Susan Allen (Burgess), nephews; Brian Allen (Patricia) and Glenn and their families. He has nieces and nephews spread all over Canada on the Donahue side as well that knew of his humour and fondness for being with family.
Morley was born in Brandon on October 21, 1935 and was the youngest child. Morley was predeceased by his older sister Mabel Ursula (Allen) in 2012 and grandson Ryan Macfarlane in 2019. Morley grew up in Brandon and at Clear Lake, Riding Mountain National Park, surrounded by family and friends and had fond memories of fishing, camping and playing baseball with friends. He also was an avid curler.
Morley was an outstanding hurler with Brandon Cloverleafs. In 1952 Morley played with Brandon 7-Up of City Police League, in 1953 with the Brandon Athletics, and from 1954-61 with the Brandon Cloverleafs. Morley was 3-1 with Brandon Greys in Man Dak playoffs, his top season was 1958 with 21-3 record, and signed with Detroit and played in Georgia State League in 1955-57. He had a great fast ball and drop.
Morley was inducted into the Manitoba Baseball Hall of fame in 1999. https://mbhof.ca/inductees/morley-macfarlane/ .
Morley had a long and interesting career as a butcher for Eaton’s and in the Beef Department at Pool Packers in Brandon and then Burns Meats; retiring from Maple Leaf Foods in St. Boniface.
Morley was a friendly personality who made friends wherever he went – and a friend of Morley’s was a friend for life. He will be missed so much by his family, his many baseball buddies and coffee buddies.
In memory of Morley, donations may be made to Winnipeg Alzheimer’s Society.
At Morley’s request there will not be service.
Condolences may be left on Morley’s memorial page at: www.interlakecremation.ca/.
Arrangements entrusted to Interlake Cremation & Memorial Services.
Leanne the obituary was beautifully written and really captured your fathers essence. He was always fun when we met him at your place and I remember him being so great with Carissa; both baseball players and fabulous athletes.
You and all your family have our deepest sympathy at your dads passing. Morley will be with all his loved ones who have gone before and he would have appreciated your being there for him on Friday playing Danny Boy and honouring his final wishes.
Shelley & Darren Born
Tim and I were saddened to hear of Morley’s passing. We will remember him with fond memories a smile on his face and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. We loved to listen to Morley‘s baseball and fishing stories. Morley’s loved to spend time with anyone that wanted to learn about baseball or the techniques of fishing. You couldn’t beat Morley’s steaks they were so tender you didn’t even need a knife to cut them. Morley will be greatly missed! Our thoughts and prayers are with all his family and friends.
Charlotte, I was really sad to hear of Grampa Mac’s passing.
He will be missed by many and I will keep my memories close to my heart.
He can rest easy in peace with no pain or suffering!💙💙
Thinking of you always!
Love, Caroline
Was sorry to here of Morleys passing on Thursday always enjoyed him telling his stories on baseball the story of the guy that was taping at him and he told the back catcher he was going to hit him and the catcher talked him out of that and his fishing stories now he an Rest In Peace no more suffering
So sorry to here that Morley passed away . Deepest sympathy to his family . I will miss joking with him about America football. I said they were sucks because they needed four downs to make ten yards. He loved his children very much and fishing and sports was his second favourite thing to do. Hope he has lots of fishing in heaven . Rsp Morley
Morley you will be sadly missed by all our family .We will cherish all the wonderful memories we have enjoyed over the years. Until we meet again. Rest In Peace
All Our Love
Charlotte & Family
So sorry to hear of Morley’s passing. Condolences to all of his family. Worked with Morley for many years at Burns Meats and it was a great pleasure to have known him. RIP .
Eileen Marsh. (Cook)
A wonderful long time friend gone… Around for our wedding, here for our 25 and our 50th anniversaries. There are so many “Mo” stories from the ball years we could write a book.!!! You will be missed old friend, and we send deepest sympathies to Charlotte and to all the family. Many memories of our kids playing together at Clear Lake. With deepest sympathy Rudy & Jeannette Stritz and family
Just a great friend for years and years.
Morely was a giant of a man and dearly loved by his friends from Brandon and the Brandon Cloverleafs. So many good memories of Morely at Clear Lake as we grew up. He was so good with children and always made us laugh. We can’t go by the cabin on 5th Street without thinking of the MacFarlanes. Morely used to call my dad, Rudy Stritz, every year on his birthday. They were very good friends from their years with the Cloverleafs where dad played shortstop. Thank you Morely for all the laughter and hilarious memories. You were a great man and will be missed. Hello to Marie, Leanne, Lori and Scott. Our thoughts are with you all. xxoo