'He was a family man who was always there for all of us' - Well-loved Great Wyrley local passes away after short cancer battle

Earlier this year, in March, Trevor McFarlane, 86, passed away peacefully at home after decades of serving the local community - particularly with a local history society which he joined in his later years. 

The history writer is survived by his wife Jan, 78, two children and three grandchildren, who said he was a 'proper family man' who was 'always' there for them when called upon. 

The father-of-two always had a love of athletics and sport, was a life-long supporter of Walsall FC, played basketball and football in his youth and jogged twice a week right up until his passing. 

After spending most of the time in his professional life working in finance, Trevor joined the Cheslyn Hay & District Local History Society, becoming the chairman for a time, creating videos and publishing several sell-out books. 

Speaking today (April 7), Jan said: "Trevor was a real family man, whatever we needed he sorted out and always prioritised his role as a husband, father and grandfather. 

"He was a big Walsall FC fan, and he often went to the games with his son and his son's friends, they once went to Wembley during a Johnsons Paint fixture which was a memorable day for all of them. 

"He played basketball when he was a kid, he loved athletics and cricket and jogged twice each week - he still did that when he was 86."

Following his retirement Trevor got involved with the Cheslyn Hay & District Local History Society, he originally would make videos for them but ended up publishing books about the local area. 

Jan said: "He was involved with the society until he passed away, he was the chairman before taking a step back and focussing on writing. He wrote books about the local area and several of them did really well. They were sold in local shops, and Waterstones."

Trevor was told he had cancer in March, and after a short fight he passed away at home, which Jan said was a shock because of how fit he was. 

Jan said: "He was diagnosed at New Cross Hospital, it was a shock because we did not know he was poorly and he was always so active."

Amongst the sadness Jan said he'll always be remembered as the responsible, caring, loving man that married her, looked after his children and grandchildren, supporting them all until his last days. 

Jan said: "He was a family man through and through, he had active and full life and we're all really proud of him."