Robert Farland

Robert E. Farland, 73, of Johnston passed away on December 25, 2019.  He was the husband of Patricia M. (McMahon) Farland and they were married for 45 years.  He is survived by his daughter Carissa H. Farland and his granddaughter Aria.  He is also survived by his brother Eugene W. Farland of Orange, CA, sister Joan H. Caouette of Rehoboth, MA, 11 sister-in-laws, 14 brother-in-laws, and several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.  Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Eugene A. Farland and Helen Farland (Balkun).

Robert was an Army Veteran having served in the Vietnam War.  He was extremely proud to have served his country and was a collector of war memorabilia.  He was an accomplished master electrician and self-employed business owner of Farland Electric, Inc.

He was a graduate of RI’s Vocational Technical School and attended Johnston and Wales and Northeastern University.   His love for photography led him to become the school photographer at Johnston and Wales University.

He dedicated himself to helping family, friends and animals.  He loved and spent much time with his two dogs Bella and Sonny and his granddaughter Aria.  He also devoted himself to martial arts and opened up his own school, Smithfield Tae Kwon Do and later would teach classes from his home.  He volunteered to teach martial arts to adults and children of all ages.  He was an avid reader and enjoyed history, photography, sailing, NASCAR racing, Corvettes (owned 6), motorcycles, Tai Chi, traveling to more than 20 countries and puttering in the garage.

A special Thank you to the medical staff from the Providence VA Hospital and caregivers from Homecare Advantage.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Robert’s memory can be made to Disabled American Veterans of RI, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI 02908.

Visitation Sunday evening, December 29, 2019 from 5PM-8PM in the Robbins Funeral Home, 2251 Mineral Spring Avenue North Providence, RI. His funeral will be held on Monday, December 30, 2019 at 9 AM from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in Our Lady of Grace Church George Waterman Road, Johnston.  Burial with Military Honors will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Cranston.