Obituary of Patrick Joseph MacFarlane

Patrick Joseph “Pat” MacFarlane, 77, of Westville, passed away on December 13, 2025 at the Aberdeen Hospital. Pat was born on June 29, 1948 in Margaree, Cape Breton, to Walter Scott and Annie Jane (LeBlanc) MacFarlane.　

Pat grew up blazing trails and breaking road hockey records in Inverness, NS. At a very early age he assumed control of his big sister Ethel’s abandoned piano and was soon playing parish halls and backing up local fiddlers. There were stories of the 8 year old who played a few tunes one night with Winston Scotty Fitzgerald, or the 12 year old kid who made a record in a Mabou living room with Donald Angus Beaton. Later he would harmonize at dances with big brother Peter, singing the songs of the Everly Brothers and others. Once the Beatles and Rolling Stones came along, that sealed the deal. These were the beginnings of a lifelong journey through Cape Breton fiddles, rock and roll, blues and country music. He formed various bands like The Corporate Sound, Bad Angus, Granfalloon and more. For many years there wasn’t a dancehall around that didn’t know his voice or a parish hall piano that was safe from having the ivory ripped right off its keys.

In 1972, during what he called a period of early genius, Pat married his dear Rona MacDonald of Inverside, realizing that he would then be able to adore her forever, and he did so. Children were soon to follow.

After graduating from St. Mary’s University, he started his career at National Sea Products in Halifax before moving his young family to Westville in 1977 to take a job in General Accounting at Michelin Tire. There he found a beloved second family of friends who have stuck together through his retirement in 2006 and for the rest of his life. 

Pat is survived by sons Scott (Lisa Hayden), Stellarton, Kristopher (Sara), New Glasgow and Jamie (Aleta Rose), Westville; daughter Katie, Westville; grandchildren Evan (Cortney), Brady, Jalen and Arley; great-granddaughter Kit and sister Lucille (Neil MacDougall), Dartmouth, NS

He was predeceased in 2018 by Rona, his wife of almost 47 years, as well as parents Walter and Annie Jane, brother Joseph in infancy, sister Ethel Corinki-MacFarlane, brother Peter, brother-in-law Bobby Corinki, daughter-in-law Meghan Bragg,　

The family would like to thank the staff at Glen Haven Manor, for their care and kindness and Tony LeBlanc for being a wonderful roommate and for keeping an eye on him. Many thanks also to his music therapist Klorissa Farnsworth for keeping him playing these last few years. 

Special mention to his honorary grandchildren Riley and Penelope who he loved so dearly and to every musician he ever shared a song with. He remembered each and every one of you and had a lifetime of memories that kept him laughing and smiling with every story recalled.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be Thursday, December 18 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Eagles Funeral Home, Westville. He will be laid to rest with his beloved Rona in the spring in the Holy Name Cemetery, Westville.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Pat’s name to the Summer Street Industries Foundation (summerstreet.ca), the Pictou Landing First Nation after school music program (admin@pictoulandingschool.ca) or a charity that is dear to you.