In Memory of Rev. Neal Ward Ferris (February 11, 1935 – February 4, 2023)

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Neal Ward Ferris, who died on February 4, 2023, at the age of 87.

Neal was born on February 11, 1935, in Richmond, VA to Paul Whyte Ferris and Elizabeth Gillette Ferris. He was raised and educated in Falls Church, VA; Winnetka, IL; and Beaumont, TX. In 1956, he received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Austin.

Neal played violin in the Austin Symphony for three years. While in Austin, he was introduced to Unitarianism. He was inspired by the UU churches’ devotion to the wholeness of understanding and celebration of the unity of life, and promotion of mutual respect for the individual vision of truth, beauty, and goodness. Meanwhile, he was also influenced by the Rev. George W. Marshfield of the Austin Unitarian Church. Neal then became a Unitarian and was determined to pursue the ministry. He believed that the Unitarian Fellowship provided an atmosphere conducive to the development of a reasonable faith.  He wanted to minister to a congregation of Unitarians, sustaining and enhancing the growth of individuals and their communities. With this call, Neal graduated with his Master of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological School (1959).

Rev. Ferris was ordained by the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, PA on April 3, 1960, where he served as an assistant minister (1960-1961) performing youth activities and religious education. Following the Pittsburgh church, he served the UU Church of Meadville, PA (1962-1969); the First UU Church of Essex County, Orange, NJ (1969-1979); the First Parish UU Church of Fitchburg, MA (1979-1990) and the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter, NH (1990-2000). In all the congregations he served, Rev. Ferris helped members learn to minister to each other and trust and respect each other. He considered person-to-person encounters as the most important part of his ministry and made himself available to his congregants. In 2000, after four decades of service to Unitarian Universalism, he retired from his ministry. Upon his retirement, the First Unitarian Society of Exeter honored him as their minister emeritus.

Rev. Ferris was equally active in the denomination. He served the Central Midwest District (CMD) under various positions, as a board member, as Good Offices representative, as a representative for clergy continuing education, and as president of CMD UUMA.

Neal was also active in community projects such as NAACP, anti-war events, and mental health organizations. He was a member of the Fitchburg Human Rights Commission and sat on the board of the Mental Health Association, NJ. He was certified by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and was a New Hampshire licensed marriage and family therapist. In Durham where he last lived, he was pleased when he convinced the town council to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day.

Neal was pleasant, friendly, unassuming, open, and natural in his dealing with people. He was an accomplished violinist and musician. He enjoyed softball, tennis, swimming, cross-country skiing, and living in a cabin in the deep woods of Maine. He also practiced Aikido (a Japanese martial art). Later in life, he enjoyed natural landscape gardening and playing chamber music in a group named the Alzheimer’s Prevention String Quartet. One of his published works which he wrote in his retirement Natural Religion Reconnecting to the Real World was very well-liked.

Bill Schulz, former UUA president shared, “Neal was my minister in Pittsburgh when I was a child, and we stayed in touch over the years. I will never forget an occasion in Meadville when he was driving and stopped the car to aid an injured bird in the street. He cared for life in all its forms. Neal was a kind and gentle man. The world needs more like him.”

Neal is survived by his partner and wife of thirty years Sylvia Foster, son David and two grandchildren, daughter Tanya Ferris, and brother Norman. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Long (Ferris).

A celebration of life was held on February 18, 2023, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter, 12 Elm St, Exeter, NH 03833.

Memorial gifts may be made to:

• UU Service Committee of the UUA,
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA),
• Union of Concerned Scientists.

Notes of condolence can be sent to Sylvia Foster, 24 Woodridge Road, Durham, NH  03824.