Michael M. Ferris, 86
NORTH ADAMS,Mass. - Michael M. Ferris, 86, of 26 Chase Ave. died Monday, Oct. 2, 2006, at his home. Born in Danbury, Conn., on Sept. 27, 1920, son of George and Sadie Matney Ferris, he moved to North Adams with his family as a child and attended schools here.
An Army veteran of World War II, he entered the service on Nov. 3, 1942, and served as a technician, fifth grade, in the South Pacific until his honorable discharge on Feb. 3, 1946.
Mr. Ferris was he was employed by Mount Greylock Bowl from 1971 until retiring in 2004. Prior to that, he had worked at the former Shapiro Chevrolet dealership on Union Street until the 1970s. He began his career as a barber until entering the service; after the war, he was employed by the former Mohawk Garage's Mohawk Ambulance Service. He then joined his late brother Louis Ferris in the operation of the Ferris Brothers' Atlantic Service Station on State Street.
He was a communicant of St. Francis' Church, where he served as a collector for more than 50 years. He was a member of the Waubeeka Golf Links in Williamstown, Dr. George L. Curran Post 996 VFW, Frank R. Stiles Post 125 American Legion, the Greylock Community Club, and the Mount Greylock Bowling League, winning several trophies.
He and his wife, the former Vina Greenlaw, were married Sept. 6, 1948, in St. Francis' Church.
Besides his wife, he leaves a daughter, Joanne M. Alcaro and her husband, Joseph, of Adams; two sons, Thomas C. Ferris of North Adams and Frederick G. Ferris of Williamstown; two sisters, Freeda Ferris and Margaret Ferris, both of North Adams; a daughter-in-law, Leigh; six grandchildren, Peter Ferris, Joseph Alcaro, Colleen Pete, Dawn Ferris, Thomas Ferris and Chase Ferris; six great-grandchildren, Megan, Erin, Zola, Katherine, Abigail and Joey, and nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
A son, Shawn Ferris, died at birth on Oct. 25, 1968, and another son, Michael Marshall Ferris Jr., died Nov. 3, 1974. Another brother, Harry Ferris, is also deceased.
FUNERAL NOTICE - The funeral for Michael Marshall Ferris, who died Monday, Oct. 2, 2006, will take place Friday at 10:15 a.m. at FLYNN & DAGNOLI-MONTAGNA HOME FOR FUNERALS, WEST CHAPELS, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Francis' Church, North Adams.
Burial with military honors will follow in Southview Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home are Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial donations are suggested for St. Francis Church or the VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire through the funeral home, 521 West Main St., North Adams, MA 01247.