Arthur Farquhar,

Arthur "Butch" Farquhar, longtime Manassas resident, passed away Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at Manassas Nursing and Rehabilitation Center at the age of 89. Mr. Farquhar struggled with congestive heart failure for several months. He was born May 5, 1919 in Georgetown, Washington DC and had been a town of Manassas/City resident since 1936. He leaves his son, Edward A. Farquhar of Manassas and his brother William "Bill" Farquhar, of Nokesville. He was preceded in death by Rosa Farquhar, his wife of 61 years, his eldest son, Arthur E. Farquhar III (1968), and youngest son, Michael C. Farquhar (2001). Arthur "Butch" was a member of Knights of Columbus (K of C) since 1944 and a charter member of The George Brent Council and a current member of the All Saints Parish Council. He served as Blood Program Chairman for the American Red Cross Prince William Chapter for many years and Chairman of Region 1 Blood Program Metropolitan area Chapters. He was a former member of Manassas Host Lions Club and a member of the local Cub Scouts Committee. Mr. Farquhar was inducted into Federal Armed Services, June 6 1940 as a member of District of Columbia National Guard 200th Artillery Regiment, and honorably discharged January 26, 1945 at the rank of Staff Sergeant. He became a member of American Legion Post 158 in 1945 and was first Vice Chairman. Butch refereed the first football game in 1940 held at Manassas High School and again after World War II (the school became Osbourn Senior High School until it's name changed to Osbourn Park in 1972). He also refereed high school basketball games and independent teams (VFW, American Legion, Fire Departments and others). He was employed at the District of Columbia Health Department as a Sanitarian Supervisor for 29 years, from April 1945 until his retirement December 30, 1974. During his tenure at DCHD he served on the Committee for State Health Department rewriting current regulations. He also served on the Advisory Committee of the University of Virginia during the IBM chemical spill. He was also a member of then-Virginia Governor Charles Robb's Committee on the Continuing Registration Sanitarians in the Commonwealth. After his retirement from the District of Columbia he was a consultant to The Clyde's Group of Restaurants for over 20 years. He served on the Manassas City Electoral Board for 12 years as Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary. He was also a member of the Manassas Recreation and Parks Committee. The high point of his term was the completion of the Manassas City Pool. For the Manassas Volunteer Fire house, Mr. Farquhar, with Jim Payne, and Guy Guifre put on a barbeque dinner to benefit its grand opening. He then volunteered as a cook during the annual Manassas Fire Department's Steak Dinner since its inception. Over the years his two sons, Ed and Mike, took his place on the cooking line while Butch stayed in the background. Butch received a plaque from Manassas Fire officials making him an honorary Manassas fireman for his services to the Manassas Fire Department. Butch with the late Charlie Gnadt supported the Home Demonstration Club and the Eastern Star by manning a barbeque stand at the Prince William County Fair for many years. Their barbeque reputation evolved into service to many organizations including Republicans, Democrats, several schools, Kiwanis, Lions Club, Nokesville and Haymarket communities. Butch also lent his cooking expertise for many years to the George Brent Council and Knights of Columbus. The family will receive friends from 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 P.M. Monday, September 8, 2008 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 10:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at All Saints Catholic Church, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas with Rev. Robert C. Cilinski officiating. Interment will follow at Stonewall Memory Gardens, Manassas. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to All Saints Building Fund, 9300 Stonewall Road, Manassas, VA 20110 in Memory of Arthur E. Farquhar Jr. Condolences may be sent to www.piercefh.com.

Arthur Farquhar,

May 5, 1919 - September 3, 2008