The Honorable Clement A. Ferris Sr.

The Honorable Clement A. Ferris Sr., 87, died Monday evening at his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Pittsfield on November 23, 1924 the son of George W. and Alice McCabe Ferris. He graduated in 1942 from St. Joseph’s High School where he was a star athlete. Judge Ferris graduated from St. Michaels College in Winooski, VT in 1950. While at St. Michael’s he was Captain of the football team and was elected to serve as Treasurer of the National Federation of Catholic College Students .In 1953 he graduated from Boston College Law School. Judge Ferris practiced Law for many years. He was appointed as an Assistant District Attorney in December 1960, by his longtime friend District Attorney Matthew J. Ryan, and served primarily in Berkshire County. While serving as a judge, this position brought him occasionally to the Springfield area where he worked closely with Judges, Attorney’s, Probation Officers and Police. Judge Ferris served 27 years as a judge in the Berkshire County District Courts, 17 years as Special Justice and 10 years as First Justice of the Central Berkshire District Court. He retired on April 1, 1990. While serving the courts he earned a reputation for being a tough jurist who liked a good argument. He was a fair judge whose tough edge was intended to teach a lesson and serve as a deterrent. He wanted to be remembered as a Judge who “gave everyone a fair shake”. He was a WWII Marine Corps Veteran, attaining the rank of Corporal and serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. The GI bill gave him the opportunity to attend College and Law School. He was a 54 consecutive year member of the American Legion. Judge Ferris was a member of the Berkshire Bar Association and a former member of the Pittsfield Municipal Airport Commission. He was a former member of Berkshire Hills Country Club where in his youth he served as a caddy He was a communicant of St. Charles Church and a former member of the Serra Club whose purpose is to foster and promote priesthood and religious vocations in the Catholic Church. Judge Ferris was an avid golfer and also enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. Other favorite activities were visiting Yosemite National Park, trips to Europe and hiking adventures in the Alps. He also enjoyed all classical music, downhill skiing and playing noon time basketball at the YMCA where he was a member. He leaves his wife, the former Mary Maloy, whom he married on August 23, 1952 in St. Mark’s Church; a son, Attorney Clement A. Ferris Jr. and his wife Martha of Pittsfield; three daughters, Mary L. Ferris of Boston, MA, Kathleen A. Ferris, of Oakland, CA and Anne E. Clark of Pittsfield; six grandchildren, Patrick Clark, Laura Clark, Christopher Clark, Katherine Ferris, Clement R. Ferris and Ashanti F. Ferris; one great grandchild, Kyron Clark; two brothers, James Ferris of Pittsfield and Francis Ferris and his wife Mary of Spencerport, NY, a sister in law Maryanne Ferris of Pittsfield. He was predeceased by a son, John J. Ferris who died on December 30, 1982, two brothers, George W. Ferris Jr. and his wife Alice O’Malley Ferris and Edward Ferris also a sister, Mary L. Prehoden and her husband Edmund J. Prehoden and a sister in law Frances Ferris. Funeral Notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for the Honorable Clement A. Ferris Sr. will be Monday, April 23, 2012 at 10 am at St. Charles Church, celebrated by the Rev. A. Peter Gregory, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be in St. Charles Church on Sunday April 22, 2012 from 2 to 5 pm. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield MA to any of the following charities, The Berkshire VNA, The Lee VNA, Hospice Care in the Berkshires or St. Charles Church Reaching New Heights Elevator Fund. DONATIONS CANNOT BE MADE TO CHARITIES ON THIS WEBSITE, but may be made through the Dwyer Funeral Home.

The Honorable Clement A. Ferris Sr.

November 23, 1924 - April 16, 2012