Frank J. Ferry Esquire

Frank J. Ferry, Esquire

Beloved Attorney, Navy Veteran, Historian, and Lifelong Local Advocate.

Frank J. Ferry, Esquire, 95, of Atlantic City, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2025, at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Born on August 27, 1929, Frank was a proud lifelong native of Atlantic City. He graduated from Holy Spirit High School, Ursinus College, and Georgetown Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree. Between college and law school, he served honorably in the United States Navy. Frank began his legal career in 1957 when he was admitted to practice before the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the United States Tax Court, and all state and federal courts in New Jersey. He was appointed as a prosecutor by the U.S. Department of Justice and assigned to Camden, NJ, where he led both the civil and criminal divisions of the South Jersey federal district and served as Chief Trial Attorney. He also served as City Solicitor for Ventnor City. In 1962, Frank became a partner in the law firm of Farley, Frederick, and Ferry, working alongside the powerful New Jersey State Senator Frank S. "Hap" Farley. He built a robust estate planning and real estate practice and remained passionately committed to the law, continuing to work in the office as recently as February of this year. Frank was deeply involved in the legal community. He was a dedicated member of the New Jersey State and Atlantic County Bar Associations, serving as Chairman of the U.S. District Court Committee, Trustee of the Atlantic County Bar Association, a member of the Supreme Court District Ethics Committee, and Chairman of the Judicial Committee. He was also appointed to the arbitration panel of the American Arbitration Association. In addition to his legal work, Frank was a vibrant and active figure in civic life. He was the 1972 President of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Southern New Jersey and was honored as their "Man of the Year" in 1995. One of his proudest moments was serving as Master of Ceremonies for the St. Patrick's Day Parade on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. A former member of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, Frank won a legendary dead-heat finish in the 32nd Annual ACBP Swimming Championship alongside his best friend, John Daley. He was also a Trustee for the Atlantic County Historical Society, the Chief Arthur R. Brown Jr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation, and Vice President of the Greater Egg Harbor Township Historical Society. He was a proud member of the New Jersey Society Sons of the American Revolution and the Colonel Richard Somers Chapter. Frank was also the longtime attorney and confidant for Jean Farley, who was the foundress of Jean E. Farley Realty and sister to Frank " Hap" Farley, and later counselor to Farley and Ferry Realty, Inc. until his last days. He was also represented St. Leonards Tract Association of Ventnor for decades. Frank was a passionate athlete and history buff, a basketball player, boxing fan, avid tennis player, and someone who could always be found jogging, walking or biking on the Ventnor Boardwalk. Later in life, Frank turned his passion for local history into writing. After 13 years of research, he published Nucky: The Real Story of Atlantic City's Boardwalk Boss in 2013. He also completed two more books, The Pictorial Life of Nucky Johnson and a heartfelt biography on his longtime colleague and friend, Senator Frank S. "Hap" Farley. He remained close with his longtime assistant, Carol Heinisch, who helped edit all of his work. Frank is survived by his former spouse, Marie R. Ferry; his daughters, Mary Lou Ferry Wimmer (Michael J. Wimmer) and Anne-Marie McGinty (Bob McGinty); grandchildren, Christopher Ferry, Dina Ferry, Michael Ferry, Elizabeth Ferry, Bobby McGinty, and Alexandra McGinty; and great-grandchildren, Lira, Christopher, Sofi, Lazar, and Michael Ferry. He was predeceased by his parents, William Graham and Louise Ferry; and siblings, Bud and the late Carol Ferry (Donna Hagmaier), Sarah and Theodore Ill, Maryann and Steve Brennan, Joe and Marge Briglia, Nita and Bob Williams, Arnold and Ann Briglia, Louise and Joe Menardy, and Frank and Bell Briglia. He is also remembered by the many nieces and nephews he adored, traveling with them, teaching them to swim, boogie boarding, employing them at "Holiday Liquors" where every day was a holiday, Farley, Frederick & Ferry Law Firm, and involving them in real estate projects with Arthur "Brownie" Brown. Frank was known for treating all to special summer outings, including memorable trips to WWF wrestling events in Atlantic City. And now he is peacefully off to the land of the leprechauns. Memorial contributions may be made to the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick Scholarship foundation of Southern New Jersey, in care of Michael Morris, 35 Sturbridge Court, Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234, an organization close to Frank's heart. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 30th, at 11a.m., at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church, 1409 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City. Burial will be private at Laurel Memorial Park Cemetery, Egg Harbor Twp. Condolences may be extended to the family at ghwimberg.com.

George H. Wimberg Funeral Home

Linwood - Ventnor