John K. MacFarlane ’59

The class lost one of its most colorful and beloved members with Maccer’s passing Nov. 10, 2023, in Vancouver, B.C., of acute myeloid leukemia.

Born in Montreal, it was “love at first sight” when John and his father first toured the Princeton campus, and his affection grew throughout his undergraduate years as a pre-med English major. Always in the middle of the fun, he did a stint as football’s mascot Tiger, was renowned for dispensing popcorn and candy “throw-aways” at Palmer Stadium, and led raucous sing-alongs at Cap and Gown’s grand piano. A freshman-year role as the lion in Androcles and the Lion led to star billing in Theatre Intime and Triangle productions. Recognizing Maccer’s panache and talents, class officers drafted him to lead their 50th-reunion P-rade in full drag as Barbie!

Throughout his long career as a groundbreaking surgical oncologist, Maccer maintained ties with Princeton classmates, especially his three-year roommates “Goose” Angus and Larry Smith. He served as ’59’s scribe for PAW, and he — along with Marian, his wife of 60 years — rarely missed a reunion or other class event.

Predeceased by his son Brian ’86, John is survived by Marian; son Tom ’88; daughter Amy ’97; daughters-in-law Leah van der Voort ’88 and Kathryn Hayward ’88; son-in-law Craig Clarke; sisters Jane Smith and Mary Slidell; and eight grandchildren, including Carolyn MacFarlane ’19.