James J. Ferris, 93, of Pittsfield, died Thursday, June 29, at his home.
Born in Pittsfield on August 19, 1923, the son of late George and Alice McCabe Ferris, he attended Pittsfield schools and was a 1942 graduate of Pittsfield High School.
Jim was employed as a toolmaker at General Electric for 23 years where he worked in the main tool room. He then taught machine shop at Taconic High School for 24 years until his retirement in 1989.
His passions were golf, gardening (particularly tomatoes), the Red Sox and Patriots and his family. He started caddying at age 11 and recorded two holes in one (5 and 17) at Berkshire Hills. In his younger years, he was an avid skier and shared great stories of skiing the Thunderbolt.
Jim was a past 4th degree Knights of Columbus, Monsignor Marshall Council of Pittsfield, a blood donor and volunteered at Meals on Wheels and St. Joseph’s kitchen. He was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Pittsfield.
Jim and his wife, Frances Martin Ferris, who died in April 1990, were married in Lenox at St. Ann’s Church on July 10, 1961. Besides his parents and wife, Jim was predeceased by his brothers George Ferris, Clement Ferris and Edward Ferris and his sister, Mary Prehoden.
Jim leaves six children and 10 grandchildren: Sara Ferris and partner Marie Callahan of Eugene, Oregon; Martin Ferris and wife Kim of Westborough; Jane Rogers and husband Wayne of Westford; Ellen Rawson and husband Jay of Richmond; Meg Poulos and husband Ted of McLean, Virginia; Nanette Jurgelewicz and husband Robert of Millis; and William Ferris; Matthew, Patrick and Kelly Rogers; Evan and Paige Poulos; Ryan and Nora Jurgelewicz; and Sara and Anna Rawson. He is also survived by his brother Francis Ferris and wife Mary of Buffalo, New York; his sisters-in-law Mary Ferris, Maryann Ferris and Mary Norton and husband Jim; and many nieces and nephews.
Jim always had a joke on hand and loved to make people smile. His kindness to his neighbors in his early years was repaid by those who looked out for him in his later years. His family thanks those kind neighbors, particularly Vicky, Jim and Ralph, as well as Pat and his caregivers from Porchlight, including James and Lenore.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Mr. James J. Ferris will be held Thursday, July 6, at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart with Father Michael Bernier officiating. Burial will follow in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Lenox. Calling hours will be Wednesday, July 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Roche Funeral Home in Lenox. In lieu of flowers, donations in James’ memory may be made to the Sacred Heart Rosary Sodality or the donor’s preferred organization in care of the funeral home, 120 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240.
To share memories and stories, visit https://www.rochefuneralhome.com.
