Eugene "Gene" L. Ferries

Gene Ferries, 93, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 at his home on Elk Lake, Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Sonja, and leaves behind his children, daughter, Diane (John) Flatley; sons, Gary (Michelle) Ferries and Paul (Julie) Ferries; grandchildren, Ellen (Paul Teini) Flatley, Erin (Josh Moss) Flatley, Eric Flatley and great-grandson Scott Teini. He is also survived by his brother, Bill (Dolly) Ferries and many loving family members and friends.

Gene was born in 1929 in Detroit, Michigan. His childhood there was happy but was dominated by the Great Depression and World War II. After graduating from Cass Technical High School, Gene met Sonja in their neighborhood and they soon fell in love. He worked as a salesclerk at the J.L. Hudson department store in downtown Detroit, was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1951, and shortly thereafter, was shipped out to Korea.

A proud Korean War veteran, he considered October 4 his "second birthday," as it was the date he survived a shelling attack on a Korean mountainside. He was wounded twice that day, once during combat and a second time while receiving treatment at the aid station. He was awarded the Purple Heart and spent time recuperating in a veterans hospital. In his later years, he gave many talks about his war experiences to students at schools in and around Traverse City. In 2019, he was privileged to take a Mid-Michigan Honor Flight to Washington DC to tour our nation's war memorials, accompanied by his son Paul.

Shortly after his discharge from the Army, Gene and Sonja were married and started a family in Roseville, a suburb of Detroit. In 1952, he entered an apprentice program at Packard Motor Company, eventually becoming a UAW Toolmaker for Fisher Body at the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. He was instrumental in developing a variety of advanced manufacturing equipment. He also mentored one of the first female apprentice toolmakers. He loved his work and was notorious for singing while working at his bench.

The family enjoyed annual summer vacations all over northern Michigan and decided to buy a lot on Elk Lake in 1964. In the early Seventies, they had a cottage built there. Gene did most of the interior work himself, with some help from his son Gary, his brother Bill and several friends. It was used as a vacation home by the family until he retired from GM with more than 30 years of service. Gene and Sonja converted the cottage to a year-round home and became full-time residents on Elk Lake.

They were active members of the community for many years. Gene loved to golf, and played often, until he no longer could. He was also an avid fisherman and boater. He passed his love of the lake and boating on to his grandchildren. Gene was involved in the Elk-Skegemog Lakes Association and was a Zone Captain for many years.  When his grandchildren were afflicted by swimmer's itch one summer, he took a keen interest in the subject. He talked to many experts and led efforts to mitigate the problem.

Gene and Sonja often volunteered to work at the Cherry Festival and other local events to raise funds to support the Northwestern Michigan Chapter of the Korean War Veterans. Alongside his fellow veterans, he marched annually in both the Cherry Festival and the Elk Rapids Harbor Days parades. In 2010, he was selected to be the Heroes' Day Honoree to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the start of the Korean War and was proud to be featured in the Cherry Royale Parade that year.

Gene had a number of health issues but was resilient. In his later years, he was able to continue living comfortably in his cherished lakefront home. This was thanks largely to the efforts of Dr. Steven Pray, Debra McClure, Gene's daughter Diane and the rest of his supportive family. He was an active member of Calvary Lutheran Church of Elk Rapids. He enjoyed working in his garage on various projects including creating wind sculptures, building holiday lighting decorations, restoring furniture and repairing just about anything. He liked watching auto racing, shows about antiques and Detroit Lions games (after the fact if he knew they had won). He took joy in collecting stamps and welcomed any opportunity to drive his tractor.

Gene loved his children and grandchildren and was very proud of their accomplishments. He deeply loved and missed his wife Sonja, and it is perhaps no coincidence that he passed away on the day that would have been their 70th wedding anniversary.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Friday, March 3, at Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell - Elk Rapids Chapel, and Saturday, March 4 at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church of Elk Rapids. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation and Calvary Lutheran Church of Elk Rapids.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Elk Rapids Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com