COCOA, FLA.-Gerald C. Ferringer, 73, of Cocoa, Fla., formerly of the Hornell area, passed away Wednesday morning (Sept. 17, 2014) in the presence of his loving family, at the Wuesthoff Hospice House in Rockledge, Fla.
Born to Clinton Ferringer and Violet Hooker Ferringer on Sept. 6, 1941 in North Tonawanda, Jerry was raised and lived for many years in Niagara Falls and Hornell and played Little League there. For six years he proudly served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam era at which time he received a Purple Heart.
Jerry was very active in the Kiwanis Club since joining the Hornell club in 1977. He had been a Distinguished Kiwanian 10 times, and helped form three Kiwanis Clubs in his division and was chairman for the Chemung Division “Toys for Tots” for six years, chairman for Youth Services for two years, and received the Chemung Division Distinguished Service Award 1999-2000. As well as being a Distinguished Past President, Jerry also served on the Board of Directors for several years.
He served on the Hornell Little League Board of Directors for five years, was head coach for Little League 21 years, umpired Little League for 16 years, umpired High School Baseball for eight years, and umpired Girls’ High School Softball for four years and was also manager for the Hornell Little League Moose Traveling Team for two years.
Jerry served as past Governor of the Moose Lodge (life member), Past Commander of the American Legion (member 37 years), charter member of Raider Detachment Marine Corps League (Commandant 7 times – life member), charter member of Amvets (life member), a member of the Hornell Elks Lodge for 27 years, a member of the Hornell Masonic Lodge for 28 years and a Salvation Army Board member for 14 years.
He has been known for his pranks, sense of humor, generosity, caring and being a friend to all. His children remember him as stubborn but very loving.
His favorite hobbies were fishing and golf, but he loved most sports as well as helping the younger generation. For the past eight years, he and his wife have been involved and volunteered at a big cat reserve in Cocoa, Fla. where they have enjoyed taking care of over 40 tigers, lions, cougars and leopards.
Jerry and his wife Mary Beth (Darley) Ferringer have been married 47 years and retired in 2004 after 27 years in business, owning and operating New Life Printers in Hornell. He leaves his loving wife; also his mother, Violet Hooker Schultz, two children, Gerald Ferringer, Jr. and Maria Staley, four grandchildren: Gregory Staley, Nanci Rose Staley, Melinda Burleson, and Mary Liz Uhl, one great-grandchild, Kristopher Wiley, sister Sharon Leverenz (Leigh), brother-in-law, David Darley (Geraldine), nieces, Kristin Bears (Jeff) and Lisa Sterling (George); nephews, Thomas Darley and David Darley, several aunts, uncle and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Clinton.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Gerald C. “Jerry” Ferringer.
Calling hours are from 4-7 p.m. Friday (Sept. 26) at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 27). Interment will be in Forest Avenue Cemetery in Angola.
The United States flag and the Marine Corps flag will proudly fly at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in recognition of Jerry’s service during the Vietnam era.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to “Central Florida Animal Reserve”, P.O. Box 184, Sharpes, FL 32959-0184 would be greatly appreciated. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.
Online condolences or remembrances of Jerry are welcomed at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com.
