Joseph P. Ferguson

May 8, 1934 – November 16, 2022

Joseph P. Ferguson of New City, NY, 88 years old, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on November 16, 2022. Joe was born in New York City on May 8, 1934 to Anna (nee Finnerty) and Patrick J. Ferguson. He was raised in Washington Heights, NY with his older sister Frances and younger brother Robert. Joe was loved and cherished by his adoring wife of 56 years Marion (nee Hardiman) and their five children Joseph, Brian (Christina), Shelagh (Michael) O’Neill, Colleen (Jeffrey) Johnson, Kathleen (Francis Jr) Gavin as well as grandchildren: Katelyn, Lily, Anna, Isabella, Molly, Conor, Rileigh, Reid, Piper, Teagan, Kaley, and Aislinn, sister Frances Cleary, sister-in-law Kay Garvey, brother-in-law John (Kathleen) Hardiman, in addition to his many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joe attended Power Memorial Academy for high school and graduated from Manhattan College. He proudly served in the United States Army assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers. One of his greatest achievements was serving as the President of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 30 for 35+ of the 45 years of his career. He was well respected and had a long and fruitful career. He will be remembered as a tenacious union leader who was honest, demonstrated great integrity and always did the right thing.

Joe was an avid reader, an impressive basketball player and a chocolate connoisseur. His Irish heritage was something he was very proud of and he was known for his vast knowledge of Irish history. Throughout his life, Joe loved spending time and vacationing with his family. As a devoted husband and father, Joe never missed any of his children’s activities whether it was a ball game, dance recital, or a school play. At home with his family was where he was happiest. This was artfully displayed with his famous weekend breakfast spreads. His favorite past time during his retirement was spoiling his grandchildren (frequently taking them for ice cream, right before dinner, without parental approval). He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

A visitation for Joseph will be held Monday, November 28, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Service Inc., 321 S Main St, New City, New York 10956. A visitation will occur Tuesday, November 29, 2022 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, 321 S Main St, New City, New York 10956. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi, 128 Parrott Rd., West Nyack, NY 10994. A burial will occur Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 11:30 AM at Frederick Loescher Cemetery, 220 Brick Church Rd., Spring Valley, NY 10977.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Joe’s name. stjude.org