Michael John Ferry (F 52-57).

The following has been submitted by Michael’s wife, Oriel.

“Michael was born on the 5th June 1939 in Sunderland and died in May 2021.

He was educated at Tonstall School and then transferred to St Bees in Cumbria, where he boarded. Michael often commented that ‘his school days at St Bees were extremely happy times for him growing up.’ He continued his education and gained a degree in metallurgy at Newcastle University.

After completing his education, Michael joined the family firm of T.S. Forster where he networked until its closure.

He retained his interest in learning all his life and had many varied interests, ranging from skiing as a young man to also gaining his Glider Pilot Licence. He was an enthusiastic stamp collector; he played the clarinet. He also had a lifelong interest in steam trains and often mentioned spending many a happy hour as a young boy train-spotting. This interest never left him and as a gift for his 70th birthday, he very excitedly enjoyed riding on the footplate of the newly built mainline steam locomotive Tornado.

Michael became a Lt. Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve and was awarded the Reserve Decoration and Bar for long service. This was marked by an invitation to Buckingham Palace. He also used to shoot for the Royal Navy at Bisley.

He was a Freemason and attended many Lodges. He went through the Chair of his Reserved Forces Lodge and attained Provincial rank. Michael became President of the Sunderland Volunteer Life Brigade and served as such for thirty years.

As well as an interest in languages, his desire to continue learning stayed with him all his life. Consequently, he became a member of the University of the Third Age, where he further studied and gained an A* in German GCSE at the age of seventy on completion of a one year course.

He was an incredibly well read, gifted and intelligent man with a keen and memorable sense of humour. He was a thorough gentleman, kind, honourable, hugely principled and very well respected. He was much loved by his family, many friends and peers alike. He will be hugely missed.

Michael leaves a widow, Oriel, whom he married on 28th July 1971. He passed away two months before their Golden Wedding Anniversary.”

 

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