Raymond J. Ferris

Raymond J. Ferris lifelong resident of Fitchburg, WWII vet; 91 FITCHBURG Raymond J. Ferris, 91, died Thursday, Jan. 22, surrounded by his family at the Health Alliance Leominster Hospital. Mr. Ferris was born in Fitchburg, on May 4, 1917, a son of the late John and Ida (Piispinen) Ferris, and has lived here all of his life. He graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1935 and went to work at Simonds Saw and Steel. That same year he enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps -197th CCC, Leominster State Forest Camp 2143 serving as company clerk. In 1945, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Germany during WWII. While in the service, he was a guard for war criminal Hermann Goering, and attended the Nuremberg War Crime Trials at the Nuremberg Palace of Justice. Following the war, he returned to work at Simonds Saw and Steel and retired as a quality control inspector in 1979. Mr. Ferris loved to work with his hands and built his own home in 1953/1954 with techniques he learned on his own. Through the years, he always was working on some project around his home. He enjoyed traveling to the New Hampshire mountains and beaches with his wife and spending time with family. In his younger years, he was very active in several area softball and basketball leagues, as well as the former Fitchburg/Leominster Horse Shoe League. He leaves his wife of 67 years, Elinor A. (Stoddard) Ferris of Fitchburg; a son, Daniel R. Ferris of Fitchburg; two sisters, Althea Sumner of Fitchburg, and Cynthia Ferris of Gardner; three grandchildren, David Ferris of Littleton, Amy Tatarka of Westford, and Kimberly Ferris of Somerville; four great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces. He is predeceased by three brothers, his twin, Rodney Ferris, Alexander Ferris, and John Ferris. FERRIS A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 11:00 a.m. in the Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home, 243 Water St. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be held on Monday, Jan. 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472. www.masciarellifamilyfuneralhomes.net