Paul Anthony Ferris

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. -- Paul Anthony Ferris, 50, of Garden Grove, Calif., passed away on Monday, May 2, 2011, at Garden Grove Hospital and Medical Center, after a sudden illness.

He was born June 13, 1960, at Thayer hospital in Waterville, Maine, the youngest son of Deeb David and Sumayah (Nawfel) Ferris of North Vassalboro.

Paul spent a happy childhood with his siblings, and attended Carl B. Lord Community School. He graduated from Oak Grove Coburn High School in Vassalboro, in 1978. During his senior year in college, he studied intensive French at Laval University in Quebec City, PQ, Canada, and received a bachelor of arts in international affairs and French from the University of Maine at Orono in 1982. He received his MBA from UMO in 1988. Later, he received a Certificate in Piano Teaching from Fullerton College, studied music at Chapman University, and most recently, was a month away from completing his masters in choral conducting from California State University in Los Angeles.

In college, he participated in Army ROTC and was later commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Army, where he served for two years, and served several more years in the Army Reserves.

In 1987, Paul met the love of his life and future wife, MaryAnn Atallah. He later proposed in Maine, and they were married on July 8, 1989, at Our Lady of Mt. Lebanon Cathedral in Los Angeles, Calif. They were blessed with one beautiful daughter, Sumayah Josephine, in 1990.

Paul was a devout Maronite Catholic and a faithful parishioner of St. John Maron Church in Orange, Calif., for many years. He was also a member of the National Apostolate of Maronites (NAM). He served in a variety of roles: as editor of the NAM News, on the NAM Board of Directors for several years and as a regional vice president.

During his lifetime, Paul had a number of interests, including theater, writing, composing, history (especially theology) and writing. In addition, he pursued a number of different professions, but the consistent theme throughout was music and music education. Music was his passion and part of his daily life. Paul's dedication to his daily piano practice was to be admired. Growing up, he filled the family home with the sounds of his beautiful music. Paul's vocation as an organist began as a young teenager at St. Joseph's Maronite Catholic Church in Waterville. He became an accomplished pianist and organist and served St. John Maron Church, as well as St. Justin Martyr in Anaheim, for many years in that capacity. He was also a music director and a member of the Celebration of Life Singers at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Garden Grove, Calif. He often served as an accompanist, especially for his daughter Sumayah, who shares his love of music.

Paul was predeceased by his father, Deeb David Ferris.

He is survived by his wife, MaryAnn (Atallah) Ferris; his daughter, Sumayah J. Ferris; his mother, Sumayah N. Ferris; siblings Tom Ferris and his wife, Nympha, Maria Bouchard and her husband, Frank, Allison Crate and her husband, Stephen, Richard Ferris, and Catherine Berryman and her husband, Brian; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Surviving in-laws include Maroun and Josephine Atallah; Therese Armstrong and husband Charles; Joseph Atallah and two nephews.

In celebration of Paul's life, a memorial Mass will be held on May 14, 2011, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Maronite Church on Front Street in Waterville. In California, a funeral Mass for Paul was held on May 6 at Hilgenfeld Mortuary in Anaheim. His body was laid to rest at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Orange, Calif. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. John Maron Church Building Fund, 300 South Flower St., Orange, CA, 92868.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and gratitude to the parish of St. John Maron Church in Orange, Calif., for their sympathy and support, their welcoming friendship and their most gracious generosity during this difficult time. Paul, his wife and daughter have been truly blessed to have such a wonderful parish family.