David C Ferch

David was born on March 11, 1976 in Parma, Ohio to Donald and Martha Ferch. David attended Revere High School and graduated from Miami University of Ohio in 1998. While in college he worked at Bagel and Deli in Oxford, Ohio. This part time job was a high point of David's college years and sparked a dream to one day start his own bagel shop. David moved to the Mahoning Valley after college and started a 15-year career with Cintas. He met Cindy (Patrick) in 2007 and after a couple of moves in the Youngstown, Ohio area, they started a new chapter of their lives in 2011 with a move to the Jacksonville, Florida. They welcomed Jaxson into their lives in June of 2013. Jaxson was David's shining star and his devotion to his son was apparent to all around him.

David was a caring, funny and generous person as well as an avid sports and soccer fan. David played soccer in his youth as well as in adult leagues. Most recently, David volunteered with The Amelia Island Soccer Club and helped coach Jaxson's soccer team.

Music was a true passion of David's. He loved an eclectic mix of modern rock and other genres and enjoyed turning others onto bands that he found. David enjoyed 90's grunge music, particularly Pearl Jam, but his favorite was the extended jams of the band Phish. David may not have looked like what you'd expect a “Phishhead” to be, but he had traveled and seen the band live over 40 times across the eastern USA.

David had devoted the last few years to fulfilling his lifelong dream. In January 2021, he opened Split Open and Melt in Fernandina Beach, a true success to open a bagel shop during a global pandemic. Split Open and Melt melded David's love of the steamed bagel sandwich shop experience and his passion for music. Each of David's bagel sandwich creations were named after a favorite song in his music collection.

David is survived by his son Jaxson and ex-wife Cindy (Patrick); sister Cindy (Ballog) and husband Drew; nephews Owen, Mason, and Laszlo; Jaxson's golden retriever, Miley; and many friends. He was is preceded in death by his mother, Martha Ferch and father, Donald Ferch. David gave the gift of life through organ, eye, and tissue donation.

A celebration of David's life will be held on June 5th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Rose Hill Funeral Home 3653 W Market St, Akron, OH 44333. A Celebration of Life service will immediately follow at 4:00 pm. All are welcome to attend and remember the joy they shared with David in his life. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.rosehillbp.com

The family and friends of David ask in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

David's loved ones also ask that if you or someone you know has thoughts of leaving this world, the time to ask for help is now. You are loved and there are people who want to help you. Reach out to someone, talk, express yourself and your feelings. Call 1-800-273-8255 and start healing now. At this moment you may not understand the pain your loss will cause but stick around and you will find there is a lot of love in this world for you.