Colin Patrick "Fergy" Ferguson

1973 - 2020

With heavy hearts we announce the death of Colin Patrick Ferguson, who died suddenly August 27, 2020 in Wolfville, N.S. Born May 5, 1973 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Colin was the first child and only son of Kathy and Brian Ferguson. He was a quiet, shy and gentle child, endearing characteristics he carried with him his whole life. Those who knew him best, also saw his funny and sarcastic side, but he was always very caring. As a child, he loved Star Wars and hockey, playing as a goalie on a team in Bowmanville. As a teenager in Seaforth, he was into skateboarding and punk music, and helped to establish the town's first skate park. After graduation from St. Michael Catholic Secondary School in Stratford, Colin attended Lakehead University to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While there, he joined the Army Reserves at The Lake Superior Scottish Regiment (LSSR), then moved to the Wainwright, AB military base where he spent several years working as an instructor and playing "enemy force" for the PPCLI (Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry) Battle School. Officially joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1998, Colin became a member of the 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1CER) in Edmonton. AB and was deployed to Kosovo as part of Operation Kinetic in 1999, where he proved to be a skillful section driver helping to clear mines, and construct camps and roadways. "Fergy," as his fellow SAPPERS called him, was well liked and made many lifelong friends while surrounded by his comrades. He left the Forces in 2001 to pursue dreams of becoming a winemaker, first working in France at Chateau Tifayne in the Bordeaux region, before completing the Winery and Viticulture Technician Program at Niagara College. After graduation, he went on to work at several wineries in the Niagara region, notably Lailey Vineyards. Colin's passion for cycling inspired him to shift careers and launch Niagara Community Bikes, with an objective to make bikes accessible to everyone. Colin loved to cycle, run and kayak influencing many in his life to get active and follow his lead. His favourite band was The Tragically Hip. He was a cat lover and loved Christmas; one of his favourite traditions was watching 'The Grinch Who Stole Christmas'. Colin was a thoughtful and loving member of the Ferguson family, always there to offer good advice and support in any way that was needed. He was also a talented baker and cook, famous for his Scottish shortbread and his "secret recipe" hamburgers, most recently he was into fermenting and smoking foods in Nova Scotia. A proud member of the Stratford Masonic Lodge, like his Grandfather William O'Hara before him. Colin's Scottish heritage was important to him, he wore his Ferguson tartan kilt with pride and tattooed the Ferguson clan crest on his chest. Robert Burns was one of his favourite poets and this quote from To A Louse held great meaning for him: "Would some power the gift to give us. To see ourselves as other see us. It would save us from many a blunder." Colin will be remembered fondly and live on in the hearts of his parents, sisters Caitlin and Erin, brothers-in-law Ross Goodall and John McInnes and nephews Logan, Gavan and Keiran McInnes. Along with his former wife Sumie Yamakawa and many extended family members and friends, he was truly loved and will be greatly missed. In Colin's memory, donations can be made to Soldier On Canada, a charity, which helps veterans and was near and dear to his heart, or alternatively to any branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to help honour veterans across Canada, and the sacrifices they make for our freedom. An internment ceremony is planned for summer 2021.