With great sorrow we share that David Ferris, Sr, of Woodbury, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, August 25, from complications of ALS. He was 71 years old.

David was born at Danbury Hospital on February 10, 1949, to William D.B. Ferris, Sr, and Florence (Lieze) Ferris. He grew up in Newtown and graduated from Newtown High School, where he met his future bride, Judie Iles. The sweethearts were married in 1968 and celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary last October.

After high school, David served in the United States Army. He was decorated with the National Defense Service medal, the Sharpshooter M-16 medal, and the Expert M-14 medal. After leaving the service, David was employed by the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation where he worked for over 35 years, retiring as a general supervisor in 2003. In addition, he worked for various paving companies. His wife, Judie, shares that he “loved the smell of asphalt.”

David was well known in New England for his blue-ribbon oxen teams. He particularly loved pulling oxen with his son, David Ferris, Jr. He also loved traveling with his family in their camper, and driving his “big, fancy trucks.”

David is predeceased by his parents; his brothers, William D.B. Ferris, Jr, and Earl D. Ferris; and his sister, Charlotte Stephen.

He is survived by his loving wife, Judie; son, David Jr, and daughter-in-law, Gosia, and grandchildren, Hannah, Luke, and Julian; daughter, Tami, and grandchildren, Alicia, Travis, and Ricki Lynne; sister, Gertrude Baron, of California; brother, Percy, and sister-in-law, Eileen, of Newtown; sister-in-law, Suzanne Korman, of Florida; and cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends from Woodbury and beyond.

An outdoor celebration of David’s life will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 19, at the Ferris home. Attendants are asked to bring a chair and wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, donations made be made in David’s memory to St Paul’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 5002, Woodbury CT 06798; and to the Veterans Administration of West Haven, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven CT 06516-2770.

Munson Lovetere Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please visit munsonloveterefuneralhome.com.