Frederic Willard McFarland, 63, of Burlington, New Jersey, died on Monday, 17 March 2008, in Samaritan Hospice at Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly, New Jersey, after a courageous struggle with cancer.

Born on 14 February 1945 in Pasadena, California, Mr McFarland's early education was in public schools in the West. He received his BA and MA from the University of Denver, and was a Ford Foundation Fellow. In August 1967, he began a 40-year career with W. W. Norton and Company, the well-known New York publishing firm. He rose through the ranks to become an editor and vice-president.

Frederic McFarland is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Cynthia Wilson McFarland, of Burlington; by his mother, Harriett Corbin McFarland, of Phoenix, Arizona; his brother, Scott Corbin McFarland, of Santa Monica, California; a number of nieces and a nephew; and a great company of loving colleagues and friends. Samaritan Hospice provided devoted care to Frederic for the last two weeks of his life.

The Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, 25 March, at 11am, at St Mary's Episcopal Church, 145 West Broad Street, Burlington, New Jersey 08016, with the Bishop of New Jersey, the Right Reverend George Edward Councell, as the officiant. Interment follows directly in St Mary's Churchyard. Visiting hours are Monday, 24 March, from 7 pm to 9 pm at Page Funeral Home, 302 East Union Street, Burlington, New Jersey 08016.

In lieu of flowers, kindly remember Frederic through a memorial gift in his name to St Mary's Hall-Doane Academy, 350 Riverbank, Burlington, New Jersey 08016, a private Episcopal preparatory school to which he and his wife were both devoted.