James "Skip" Pembroke Ferriera

James Ferriera “Skip“, age 70, passed away October 5, 2018, after a 5 year long battle with ALS. He was born in Lowell, Massachusetts and grew up in Upton, Massachusetts. He was preceded in death by his daughter Jennifer Anne Ferriera; mother Eveline Ferriera, and sisters Deborah and Pamela Ferriera. Skip loved his Boxers Pete and Max who also preceded him into the hereafter.

Skip graduated from the University of New Haven in Connecticut. After graduation he came to Michigan to visit relatives and ended up staying to work, marry and raise a family. Skip spent most of his working career as a manufacturing supervisor for Haworth, Bosch and Sherwin-Williams. He loved to ride motorcycles, go out in his boat to fish, hunt for deer, ski in New Hampshire, read his favorite author, Kurt Vonnegut, and return to Massachusetts to visit his mother and sister.

Skip was devoted to his wife and children. He was married 37 years and is survived by his wife Mary, his sons Jacob and Charlie, brother-in-law Richard Lilga, and several cousins living in Grand Rapids and Massachusetts. Skip will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by his family and friends.

The family would like to thank everyone who participated in Skip’s care. A special thanks goes to his daily nurses Deb and Devin. We could not have cared for him at home without their wonderful help.

Cremation has taken place.

A “Celebration of Skip’s Life” will take place at his home on Saturday, October 20th, between the hours of 2pm and 5pm. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Skip’s life. 

Donations may be made to The ALS Association.
Click here to donate to ALS Association in memory of Skip.

Link will take you to son, Charles Ferriera, ALS fundraising for Team Skip.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James "Skip" Pembroke Ferriera, please visit our floral store.