We regret to advise of the death of Lance Corporal Eugene Hettrick McFarlane (Ret’d) in his 101st year on 22 Mar 2020 in Nipawin SK. Eugene was a veteran of the Second World War who served in the Royal Canadian Engineers in Canada.
Eugene was the eldest of four children born on his parents’ farm at Ratner SK. He attended Athol School with his sister and two brothers and completed Grade IX before he left school to go farming. Eugene was conscripted and reported to Regina for basic training in late May 1941. After two months of training, he was transferred to A-6 Canadian Engineer Training Centre in Dundurn SK to become a sapper with the Royal Canadian Engineers. He then served as a Lance Corporal in the 4th Fortress Company (Electrical & Mechanical) that was responsible for the defences in British Columbia at Vancouver and Victoria.
Eugene was transferred with a detachment to Prince Rupert BC in December 1941 to look after all the camps in the area. He was later transferred to Vancouver. In February 1945, with the war effort still short of recruits, Eugene was sent to Debert NS for final training prior to his embarking for the United Kingdom. The war soon ended, however, so he never got across the ocean. Eugene was given Farm Leave and went home to Gronlid. After the war’ end, he was able to get some land through the Veterans’ Land Act, farmed for 67 years, got married, and raised a family. He farmed up until his 90s alongside his son, Dennis.
Eugene not only participated in community events, he believed in commitment. He was involved with and was on the Beaver Creek Lutheran Church board for years, was a board member of the Ratner Co-Op and was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion branch. In September 2019 there was a huge celebration of his life birthday party at Ratner for his 100th birthday.
Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. {khJul2020}
