Spencer D. Ferris

Spencer D. Ferris, age 89, of Janivar Drive, Ithaca, NY, passed away March 16, 2016 at the Hospicare Residence just five days short of his 90th birthday.
Born March 21, 1926 in Owego, NY he was the son of the late Howard and Ruth Dockstader Ferris. They lived in Endicott, NY until 1935 when the family moved to Ithaca, NY. Spencer attended the Ithaca Schools and was a 1944 graduate of Ithaca High School. Upon his graduation he immediately entered the US Navy at Sampson going to the Philippine Islands in the Pacific aboard a Navy destroyer. After the war, he attended Colgate University. He worked briefly at Morse Chain Co. Then in 1950, Spencer along with business partner, Bob Swarthout, founded the Swarthout & Ferris Bus Company. He retired in 1988. Spencer was a member of the City of Ithaca Common Council, Sierra Club, Ithaca Cayuga Rotary Club, and was an avid golfer and bowler and was secretary and/or president of several area golf and bowling leagues. He was also an avid boater who spent many hours on Cayuga Lake. His lifelong love was traveling. His first wife, Margaret passed away August 19, 1990.
In addition to his wife, Fern, Spencer is survived by his four children, Stephen Ferris, Karen Ferris Ginsbern, Margie (Peter) Morris and Paul Ferris; grandchildren, Nate, Evan and Margot Morris, Katherine and Lane Ginsbern, Glen Ferris and Christopher Ferris. In addition, he was predeceased by his brother, Harold Ferris and daughter in law, Michele Longo Ferris.
Friends are invited to call from 9 to 11 am, Saturday, March 19, 2016 at Perkins Funeral Home, 55 W. Main St., Dryden, NY followed by a memorial service at 11 am with celebrant Steve Lawrence officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Willow Glen Cemetery, Dryden. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Hospicare and Palliative Care Services, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.