Joseph A. Ferris

Ferris, Joseph A. age 85, of Minneapolis, passed away on Christmas Eve, his birthday, Friday, Dec. 24, 2010, at the Augustana Health Care Center in Apple Valley, MN. Preceded in death by his parents, Mildred (Sjodin) and Joseph A. Ferris, Sr. Survived by his loving wife, Yvonne (Freund), and three daughters: JoAnne Ferris (Steve Mayer), Minneapolis; Elise (Bill) Esper, Hopkins; and Christina (Ferris) Peck, Apple Valley; five grandchildren: Katelyn and Colin Esper; Griffin and Camryn Peck; and James (Kourtney) Esper; brother- in-law Bill Freund, Rice, MN; numerous nieces, nephews; and many friends in the Twin Cities and Miami Beach. Jazz was his lifelong passion--he was part of the Twin Cities jazz scene in the ‘50s as a drummer, and he met many jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Chet Baker. Another passion was foreign sports cars, and he could be seen many weekends with his head under a hood. He was a keen collector of African and Chinese artwork. He loved the ocean as well as the North woods, and maintained a home in Miami Beach, and built a rustic getaway outside of Randall, MN. A memorial service followed by a luncheon will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at the First Memorial Funeral Chapel of the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4343 Nicollet Ave. So., Minneapolis, MN, 55409. Ph: 612 825 2435. Private interment. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Ph: 952 830 0512.