Captain Edward Ferris, USN (Ret.) Salem MA Edward Ferris, Captain, US Navy (Retired), passed away on Saturday, August 16 at the age of 93 with his children by his side. Born and raised in Salem MA, Ed went to college at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, where he earned his degree in Marine Electrical Engineering and received a commission as an ensign in the US Navy. He served four years on active duty, proving out the new concept of one-stop replenishment at sea (food, fuel, and ammunition). Upon release from active duty, Ed accepted an assignment with the US Navy Reserve, where he served 34 years as Commanding Officer of MIUW inshore undersea warfare units in Boston MA and Portsmouth NH.
During the years he served in the Navy Reserve, Ed acquired his Professional Engineer’s License and earned an MBA from Northeastern University. He worked for Gulf Oil, then as his young family grew he came ashore to work at Sylvania Electric Products, where he obtained two U.S. patents in his name. Ed spent most of his career in management positions at New England Telephone. In his so-called retirement years, he worked six days a week alongside his son at Charles Ferris Auto Service, Inc., the automotive recycling company that was founded by his father.
Ed and his beloved wife Leah (Femino) lived in Salem, where they raised their four children and led an active social life with their many lifelong friends. Ed was enthusiastically involved with the Osgood Park Neighborhood Association and the Salem Willows Yacht Club. He served on the Finance Committee of the former St. Mary Italian Church in Salem. He was a member of the Wardroom Club, the US Naval Institute, the American Society of Naval Engineers and the Naval Reserve Association. Ed loved the outdoors. In his youth he was a proud Eagle Scout, and as a young father he often packed up his kids and took them hiking, canoeing on the Ipswich River, and rowing and sailing around Salem Harbor. Later in life he relished his time at his cottage in the White Mountains, and many of his happiest days were spent on the ocean at the helm of his sailboat with his son.
Ed is survived by his four children and their spouses: Charles Ferris and his wife Leeann, Edward Ferris, Jr. and his wife Lisa, Eugenia Fountain and her husband Dan, and Joe Ferris and his wife Laurie. Ed leaves four grandchildren: Michael, Ashley, Zachary and Julia. He leaves two beloved sisters, Lorraine Pousman and Elizabeth Parrelli. In recent months, Ed was grateful for the generous and attentive care he received from the superlative staff at the John Bertram House in Salem. His family is thankful for the compassionate care provided in his final days by the extraordinary people at Care Dimensions.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, August 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette Street, Salem MA, followed by burial at Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Care Dimensions, Suite B-102, 75 Sylvan Street, Danvers MA 01923, www.caredimensions.org, or the Class of 1954 Fund at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay MA, 02532, www.maritime.edu. For guestbook and to send a condolence to his family, kindly visit www. LevesqueFunerals.com .