Harvey MacFarlane
February 16, 1947 – June 11, 2026
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association was saddened to learn of the passing of former chuckwagon driver Harvey MacFarlane on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at the age of 79.
From a very young age, Harvey had a passion for driving horses. He had been handling teams since he was an eight-year-old boy working on the family farm near Harrowby, Manitoba. In the early 1970s, he began competing with pony chariots and chuckwagons and, over the next two decades, enjoyed tremendous success on the racetrack, winning numerous trophies and setting several track records.
Seeking a new challenge, Harvey made the move to thoroughbred chuckwagons in 1989 when he purchased an outfit from former World Champion Chuckwagon Driver Mel Haase. He became a sanctioned driver with the World Professional Chuckwagon Association in the spring of 1990 at Stettler, Alberta.
Harvey drove his first race a few weeks later at the Trochu Lions Club Race Meet and defeated Glenn Boychuk to earn his first victory. He competed at every stop on the 1990 WPCA schedule, driving two wagons throughout the season. Harvey posted a number of top-15 runs, with his best finish coming at the Grand Centre Race Meet where he placed tenth overall. Although he recorded several respectable results during his rookie campaign, Harvey retired from driving professional chuckwagons after just one season with the WPCA.
A true teamster at heart, Harvey returned to his roots in the draft horse world following his retirement from chuckwagon racing. He farmed with Clydesdales and eventually rose to a high level in the show ring. Harvey became well known for his impressive eight-horse hitch, participating in parades and driving demonstrations throughout Western Canada.
Harvey is lovingly remembered by his son Jim MacFarlane (Sherry); daughter Sherry Telfer; daughter-in-law Cheri (nee Goldstone); grandchildren Caitlin, Jamie, Lane, Colton and Jordan; great-grandchildren Zoey, Lily, Charlie and Lucy; former wives Glendyne (nee Zerr) and Margaret-Ann (nee Irving); sisters Joan (Bill) Collie and Betty (Stewart) Mile; sisters-in-law Helen, Rexine, Leona and Valerie; brother-in-law Gary Robinson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Harvey was predeceased by his son-in-law Dan Telfer; former wife June (nee Good); parents John and Lucy (nee Holt) MacFarlane; brothers Gerry (Eleanor) MacFarlane, Ken (Dolf) MacFarlane, Jim (Mary) MacFarlane, Vern (Des) MacFarlane, Dave MacFarlane and Don (Shirley) MacFarlane; sister Marion Robinson; and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Harvey’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Broadway United Church, 105 Broadway Avenue, Regina, Saskatchewan.
Harvey will be missed by everyone in the WPCA community, and we extend our sincere condolences to the MacFarlane family and all those who knew and loved him.
Billy Melville
