Vanril O'Riley McFarlane

Vanril O'Riley McFarlane was born on November 19, 1941 in Kingston Jamaica, West Indies at the Kingston Public Hospital to the late Wilfred and Lois McFarlane. Vanril McFarlane was the third of five children. Two siblings, Hyacinth and Bromwell preceded him in death.

Vanril graduated from Kingston Jamaica's Calabar High School. At the age of eighteen, he relocated to the United States of America, where he furthered his education receiving certificates from Esco Electronics Corporation, Bell and Howell, Samuel Compers School, Devry Institute of Technology and Lincoln School of Radio and Television.

Vanril McFarlane served his country in both the Army and the Navy.

Vanril married the lovely Yvonne Princess Hurst at the Grand Concourse Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Bronx, New York City. He was baptized and ordained as a Deacon at the Sharon Seventh-day Adventist Church, also in the Bronx.

In 1992, Vanril and his family relocated to Florida and became members of the Patmos Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church, where he served as a Sabbath School Teacher, a Head Deacon and a Family Life Committee Member. He also worked on the Seventh-day Adventist Southeastern Conference's Family Life Planning Committee.

Vanril loved the Lord and his family with his whole heart, soul and mind. He enjoyed talking, laughing, reading God's Word, attending church and being of service to all who came in contact with Him. He interests included walking, traveling, collecting and restoring radios, going to flea markets, electronics and woodworking. He was an excellent carpenter and cabinet maker.

Vanril touched the lives of many people with his smile and encouraging words. He maintained his sense of humor till the very end.

The Lord put him to rest Thursday, January 12, 2012 after seven years of battling cancer.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Yvonne; two daughters, Velma and Princess; one son, Delano; three granddaughters: Jessica, Jordyn and Alyssa; one sister: Mercia Watson; one brother-in-law: Basil Watson; one sister-in-law: Paulate McFarland: one son-in-law: Anthony Goad; Goddaughter: Lacita Ellis; mother-in-law: Stroma; fifteen nieces and nephews and a host of cousins, other relatives, friends and family.