Obituaries
Obituary for Antonio W. "Tony" Ferris
Peoria- Antonio W. “Tony” Ferris, age 76, of Peoria, passed away at 6:53 pm on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.
Born June 25, 1939 in Peoria, Tony was a son to Frederick and Cecelia Williams-Ferris. He grew up in Peoria on First Street, in a house that was connected to Ferris Market, the family grocery store. In 1958, Tony graduated from Spalding High School.
Two years later, Tony married Nayibe “Naya” Salomon on December 10, 1960 in North Tonawanda, NY. They were married for 53 years when she preceded him in death on October 18, 2014.
Tony was also preceded in death by his father Fred, his mother Cecilia, his brother Larry, and his son Phillip. He is survived by three children: Denise Ferris (Chan-li Lin) of New York, NY, Frederick Ferris of Naperville, Ill., and Kevin (Danielle) Ferris of Phoenix, AZ.; four grandchildren, Kylie Ferris, Abigayle Plutz, Vincent Phillip Ferris, and another one on his way; as well as, two sisters, Susan Salomon of San Diego, CA and Jeannie Ferris of Peoria.
Tony honorably served in the United States Army Reserve for six years. He worked at Komatsu Mining System as a welder for 34 years until his retirement in 1998. He also worked as a mechanic for Travis & Egolf Cadillac. Tony was a committeeman for the International Brotherhood Boiler Makers Union (IBB).
Tony was heavily invested in his community. He was a loyal and active member of the Men’s Itoo Society. He was also actively involved at St. Thomas Catholic Church men’s club, serving as treasurer. For years, he led the fundraising efforts for the church with Casino Nights, and fish-frys and other events. In retirement, Tony loved spending time as a volunteer at Proctor Hospital and at local prisons ministering to inmates.
He was a devoted father who spent extra time with his children by volunteering as a coach on their various teams. He taught each of his kids—and many of their friends—to drive on streets and in local parking lots, allegedly before they were old enough to enroll in driver’s education.
Tony was also close to his large, extended family and was known to extend an extra week of vacation time visiting family in Niagara Falls, NY and San Diego, CA.
He loved fishing with his mother, his children and his many friends. Tony loved to play cards and had a standing game on almost every Sunday for as long as anyone can remember. He never went anywhere without his deck of cards and tip boards.
The most social person in town, Tony knew everyone and everyone knew him.
He was known for his generosity and for being willing to help anyone, including strangers. He never said no.
Tony lived life fully. He was a bit of a prankster and risk-taker. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. The world around him was made better by his presence. And now a large, shining light has gone out in Peoria.
Visitation will be held on Friday April 01, 2016 between the hours of 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at St. Thomas Catholic Church. An additional visitation will be held on Saturday April 02, 2016 from 10:00 am until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Msgr. Jason Gray will officiate and entombment will follow in Resurrection Mausoleum.
Memorials in Tony’s memory may be made to St. Thomas, the American Heart Association and the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
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Born June 25, 1939 in Peoria, Tony was a son to Frederick and Cecelia Williams-Ferris. He grew up in Peoria on First Street, in a house that was connected to Ferris Market, the family grocery store. In 1958, Tony graduated from Spalding High School.
Two years later, Tony married Nayibe “Naya” Salomon on December 10, 1960 in North Tonawanda, NY. They were married for 53 years when she preceded him in death on October 18, 2014.
Tony was also preceded in death by his father Fred, his mother Cecilia, his brother Larry, and his son Phillip. He is survived by three children: Denise Ferris (Chan-li Lin) of New York, NY, Frederick Ferris of Naperville, Ill., and Kevin (Danielle) Ferris of Phoenix, AZ.; four grandchildren, Kylie Ferris, Abigayle Plutz, Vincent Phillip Ferris, and another one on his way; as well as, two sisters, Susan Salomon of San Diego, CA and Jeannie Ferris of Peoria.
Tony honorably served in the United States Army Reserve for six years. He worked at Komatsu Mining System as a welder for 34 years until his retirement in 1998. He also worked as a mechanic for Travis & Egolf Cadillac. Tony was a committeeman for the International Brotherhood Boiler Makers Union (IBB).
Tony was heavily invested in his community. He was a loyal and active member of the Men’s Itoo Society. He was also actively involved at St. Thomas Catholic Church men’s club, serving as treasurer. For years, he led the fundraising efforts for the church with Casino Nights, and fish-frys and other events. In retirement, Tony loved spending time as a volunteer at Proctor Hospital and at local prisons ministering to inmates.
He was a devoted father who spent extra time with his children by volunteering as a coach on their various teams. He taught each of his kids—and many of their friends—to drive on streets and in local parking lots, allegedly before they were old enough to enroll in driver’s education.
Tony was also close to his large, extended family and was known to extend an extra week of vacation time visiting family in Niagara Falls, NY and San Diego, CA.
He loved fishing with his mother, his children and his many friends. Tony loved to play cards and had a standing game on almost every Sunday for as long as anyone can remember. He never went anywhere without his deck of cards and tip boards.
The most social person in town, Tony knew everyone and everyone knew him.
He was known for his generosity and for being willing to help anyone, including strangers. He never said no.
Tony lived life fully. He was a bit of a prankster and risk-taker. He loved to laugh and make others laugh. The world around him was made better by his presence. And now a large, shining light has gone out in Peoria.
Visitation will be held on Friday April 01, 2016 between the hours of 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at St. Thomas Catholic Church. An additional visitation will be held on Saturday April 02, 2016 from 10:00 am until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Msgr. Jason Gray will officiate and entombment will follow in Resurrection Mausoleum.
Memorials in Tony’s memory may be made to St. Thomas, the American Heart Association and the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
Friday
1
Apr
5:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Visitation
Saturday
2
Apr
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Funeral Mass
Saturday
2
Apr
11:00 AM
St. Thomas Catholic Church
904 E Lake Ave
Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Cemetery Details
Location
Resurrection Cemetery & Mausoleum
7519 N Allen Rd
Peoria, IL 61614
Memorial Contribution
American Heart Association
OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home
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