WORCESTER___John P. “Jack” Ferris, Jr., 85, of Worcester died Sunday November 6 in University Commons Nursing Care Center.
He leaves his wife of 62 years, Jane M. (Lozowicki) Ferris, two sons, James M. Ferris of Holden and Daniel P. Ferris of Worcester; two daughters, Joan S. Lentine of Bethesda, MD., and Maureen B. Schwab of Worcester; a brother-in-law, Vincent J. Lozowicki; five grandchildren, Ann E. Ferris, Sean P. Ferris, Marcus Schwab, Mairead Schwab and Gina S. Lentine. His brother Joseph R. Ferris died January 1, 1994. He was born in Worcester, son of John P. and Christine (Burke) Ferris and was raised on Grafton Hill.
Mr. Ferris was a 27 year member of the Worcester Police Department. He rose through the ranks to Captain and was night commander of the patrol division and also headed the departments Community Services Office. Before then he served in the patrol division, training division, the juvenile division, a unit he helped to organize and was the former Civil Defense coordinator for the department. Capt. Ferris retired in 1970. After retiring he enjoyed working in the private sector. He was a 1937 graduate of Commerce High School, completed the machinist program at Worcester Boy’s Trade High School and later attended the FBI Academy.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and served on the USS Henrico at Normandy. He was later a member of the U.S. Army reserve for many years. Mr. Ferris was a member of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, a life long member of the Polish Naturalization Independent Club and was a member of Grafton Hill Post 323 American Legion. Mr. Ferris was an advocate and volunteer for area mental health, fraternal and service organizations.
The funeral will be held on Saturday November 12 from HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward St., with a Mass at 10 am. in Our Lady of Czestochowa Church, 34 Ward St. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home are Friday November 11 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Czestochowa Memorial Fund, 34 Ward St., Worcester, 01610.