John Mansfield Ferry

FERRY, John Mansfield Age 92, of Wakefield, RI, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 24, 2011. He was the beloved husband of the late Elizabeth Gibson Ferry to whom he had been married for 66 years. Mr. Ferry was born in New York on February 24, 1919 to Jean and Mansfield Ferry. Mr. Ferry graduated from The Thatcher School in Ojai CA. in 1937 and Harvard College class of 1942, with an AB degree. He married Elizabeth Gibson in 1942. He participated in five European campaigns during World War II and was awarded a bronze star and discharged from the military as a Captain, 18th Field Artillery, 1945. He attended Harvard Law School and received his LLB cum laude in 1949. Mr. Ferry was an attorney in Boston first with Ropes and Gray in1949 and then Choate Hall and Stewart where he was a Partner from 1960-1986 with a specialty in securities and corporate law. He was a member of the Tavern Club of Boston, The Cruising Club of America, Boston, and the New York Yacht Club. He was active in Center Club in Boston for 20 years. He was also chairman of the investment committee of the Kingston Congregational Church, a Director of the Willow Dell Historical Society, and an incorporator of the South County Hospital. He was also an early member of the Courthouse Center for the Arts, and the South Kingston Land Trust, as well as a member of the Little Rest Readers and the Dunes Club. Mr. Ferry was a lifelong sailor and ocean racer. He was an avid traveler, fishing in Iceland and Scotland with his wife, traveling to India with his daughter, Dana, and cruising with his wife by barge throughout England and France. He was a member of the Lawyer's Alliance for World Security which brought him to Russia to inspect the dismantling of missile sites. Mr. Ferry was brought up in New York City and Newport R.I., lived in Cambridge, Mass from 1947-1986 and summered in Wakefield R.I. from 1955-1986. He and his wife became permanent residents in 1986 and he lived there until his death. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, sailing, playing tennis, horseback riding and raising sheep. He leaves two daughters, Elizabeth Mansfield Bishop of Arizona, Dana Ferry of South Carolina, a son , John DeWolf Ferry of Wakefield, R. I.; two granddaughters Tara Manke of Watertown, MA and Nina Bishop-Nunn of Brookline, MA; and one great-granddaughter, Alexandra Gibson Manke ,sister Frances Dennison of Providence, R.I. and many close nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late May Guenther. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 18 at 1 pm at Kingston Congregational Church, Route 138, Kingston, RI. Arrangements are being made by Forbes Funeral Home of Wakefield. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift to Home and Hospice Care of Rhode Island or to the South County Hospital, Wakefield, RI.