Dr. Jeffrey Ferris

KENT >> Dr. Jeffrey Ferris, age 96, died Dec. 19, 2012 at his home in Kent. He practiced general surgery in New Milford from 1953 until his retirement in 1987, and was on the staff of New Milford Hospital.
Dr. Ferris was educated at Yale and Columbia Physicians and Surgeons, and did a residency at Bellevue Hospital. While still in medical school, he married Palamona Williams, of Rutherford, New Jersey. He served in Europe during WWII, and after the war, in VA hospitals in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, before moving with his family to New Milford.
He was a lifelong gardener and water-colorist, as was his wife, and after his retirement and their move to Kent, they collaborated on planting and caring for over two thousand trees on the property, as well as a huge vegetable garden. After his wife's death in 1999, Dr. Ferris took classes at the Washington Art Association, and devoted more time to painting.
He was an unfailingly gentle person, with an active and curious mind.
Dr. Ferris is survived by three daughters, Palamona A. Ferris, of Brooklyn, New York, Eliza Hitchcock, of Vashon, Washington, and Mary Ferris, of Kent; a granddaughter, Amanda Romani, of Brooklyn, NY; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held this summer at a time to be announced.