John R. Ferris

John R. Ferris, 82, of Sarasota, Florida and formerly of Strongsville, Ohio passed away March 5, 2018. John was born August 16, 1935 in Rochester, NY, the son of the late Fred and Angie (Mastrella) Ferris. Survived by his wife Debbie of 31 years, his daughter Tracy (Ferris) Bucher and her husband Rick, daughters Joan Ferris and Kathy Ferris, grandson Joe Bucher and granddaughter Liz Bucher, sister Jackie Brietenbach of Port St. Lucie Florida.He attended Aquinas Institute of Rochester, New York and graduated from the University of Dayton with a bachelor of science in business administration. Upon graduating from high school, he entered the US Army and was stationed in Korea. During his tour in Korea, John was one of 159 persons aboard a Globe-master transport that crashed on an island in the Han River. John told his parents he was "all right but a little shaken up". This plane crash limited his desire to fly. After an honorable discharge from the US Army, John took on careers. He was a salesman for Shell Oil Company, owned and operated Shell Gas Stations in Dayton, Ohio,and owned and operated Frogs Lounge in Dayton, Ohio. After selling Frogs in 1990, he worked for the Montgomery County Sheriff Office and then found his love as a substitute teacher in Dayton, Ohio, Strongsville, Ohio, Westfield, New York, and Sarasota Florida. John had an outgoing personality, was a very active individual and loved his life. He cherished his many, many friendships. John did not meet a person who chose not to be his friend. He was very involved in the National Police Softball Tournament in Dayton, Ohio where he again acquired so many long and lasting friendships of police officers from New York City, Michigan, Illinois, and Washington DC. John was a high school football and lacrosse referee in Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania. He currently enjoyed working everyday as a substitute teacher for the Sarasota County School District. He loved working with students in middle school and high school where again he developed many friendships. The students either loved him or loathed him. A visitation will be held on Monday, March 12, 2018, from 4:00pm til 8:00pm, at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Gulf Gate Chapel, 6903 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231.A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at 9:30am, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 2506 Gulf Gate Drive, Sarasota, FL 34231.Burial will follow at 12:30pm, at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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John R. Ferris

August 16, 1935 - March 5, 2018