October 25th, 1925 - August 25th, 2024
On August 25, 2024, in his 98th year, John (Jack) Alexander Dalton Ferris bravely embarked on his final voyage.
Born on October 23, 1925, in York, Ontario, John spent his youth alternating between the countryside and the city, accompanying his father at work and attending school, where he was the sole student in his Grade 8 class.
At 18, after beginning his training even earlier, John enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force to serve in World War II. He specialized in communications and became a Wireless Air Gunner (WAG), serving in England as part of Bomber Command.
After the war, John met his beloved first wife, June, while dancing at the Palais Royale in Toronto. They settled in Kitchener, where John worked as a pioneering technician for Bell Canada, installing telephone lines across Ontario. His extensive travels throughout the province sparked a curiosity about small-town country inns, which led him to open a travel agency, a hotel, and a bed and breakfast in Fergus.
John was an active part of the Fergus community through his businesses, including Fergus Travel and Hotel La Placia, his involvement with organizations such as the Rotary Club and the Royal Canadian Legion, and his tenure as Reeve on the Fergus Town Council. Eventually, he returned to Toronto, living near Billy Bishop Airport before becoming a resident of the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre.
Throughout his life, John was an avid traveler, exploring the world at least twice over. In his retirement, he found special joy in visiting Cuba, where he loved swimming in the warm ocean and enjoying a glass of rum.
John will be fondly remembered for his zest for life, his curiosity and ingenuity, his storytelling, and his love and devotion for his family, friends, and community.
John is survived by his five children: Jane Ferris of California; Judith (Juliette) Ferris of Nova Scotia; James (Jim) Ferris and his wife, Barbara, of Ottawa, Ontario; Jacqueline (Jackie) Ferris and her husband, Christian Giroux, of Guelph, Ontario; and Claire Ferris of Toronto, Ontario. He also leaves behind three cherished grandchildren: Dylan, Frank, and Zoé Ferris and her husband, Nusret Cosar, as well as his newborn great-grandchild, Melody, whose name he couldn’t help but sing. John will also be lovingly remembered by the Paziuk family of Oshawa.
He was predeceased by his parents, Argue Island Ferris and Viola Grace Almeda Victorine Hunter; his sister, June Elver; and his wife, June Elliot Ferris, his companion across the world and now, too, across the universe.
A private funeral and burial will take place in Fergus, Ontario. Graham A Giddy will be handling the funeral arrangements and accepting condolences on behalf of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to Sunnybrook Hospital’s Veterans Program. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of the Sunnybrook Veterans Program and Veterans Affairs Canada for their years of dedicated care and support during John’s time as a resident of the Veterans Centre. https://donate.sunnybrook.ca/donate-today
