Senate Resolution No. 3278

BY: Senator PARKER

MOURNING the death of former New York State
Assemblyman Joseph Ferris, dedicated public servant
and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, There are certain outstanding public servants who, through
their selfless commitment and dedication, served to better the quality
of life in their community and had a measurable positive impact on the
lives of its residents; Joseph Ferris was one such individual; and

WHEREAS, Former New York State Assemblyman Joseph Ferris of
Brooklyn, New York, died on Saturday, June 20, 2020, at the age of 85,
due to complications related to the coronavirus; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong Brooklynite, Joseph Ferris was born on October
10, 1934, and was the oldest of Catherine Downes' and William Ferris'
five children; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Ferris graduated from St. Francis College, Class of
1956, with a bachelor's degree in history; and

WHEREAS, He then served in the United States Army Reserve and spent
15 years teaching in New York City schools, including several years as a
teacher at Rikers Island prison; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Ferris first became interested in local politics
while working with Against Investment Discrimination, a group who fought
redlining policies in the City; and

WHEREAS, The block associations and civic groups he helped found
include the Kensington Community Council; the Park Slope Civic Council;
the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, originally the Slope
Independent Democrats, and the Brooklyn Irish-American Day Parade; as
well as the Magnolia Tree Institute, a Bedford-Stuyvesant non-profit
that is responsible for planting hundreds of trees throughout the
borough; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Ferris' first campaign for elected office was in
1964 when he ran for Congress; five years later, he served as the
Campaign Manager on Norman Mailer's mayoral campaign, where he was
referred to as a "one-man think tank"; and

WHEREAS, In 1970 and 1972, Joseph Ferris lost extremely close races
to represent the 51st District in the New York State Assembly;
victorious in 1974, he served five terms before retiring in 1984; and

WHEREAS, While in the Assembly, Joseph Ferris served as Chairman of
the Legislative Commission on Science and Technology, as well as the
Chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Public Power; and

WHEREAS, In the summer of 1984, Joseph Ferris married Joan Ferris,
and together they were the proud parents of two sons, Joseph and Thomas;
and

WHEREAS, A proud and devoted father, Joseph Ferris passed on to his
sons a love for civics, history, New York City and public service; and

WHEREAS, After retiring from elected office, Joseph Ferris stayed
active in Brooklyn working as a substitute teacher, penning a Brooklyn
Paper column, and continuing to advocate for causes around the
neighborhood and city including the implementation of term limits on
City Council members and the preservation of what is now known as the
Old Stone House in Washington Park; and

WHEREAS, Joseph Ferris worked to stabilize the then-underused Old
Stone House in Park Slope, which played a pivotal role in the American
Revolution, and turn it into an official historic house and museum; and

WHEREAS, By the early 2000s, Joseph Ferris was an active board
member at the Old Stone House and was involved with the Irish American
Parade Committee's efforts to memorialize the Battle of Brooklyn on a
broader scale; and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his parents, Catherine Downes and William
Ferris, his brother, John Ferris and his wife, Joan Ferris, Joseph
Ferris is survived by his two sons, Joseph M. Ferris and Thomas Ferris;
daughter-in-law, Eugenia Ferris; one granddaughter, Sophia Ferris; his
brother, William Ferris; and his two sisters, Eileen Ferris and Mary Lou
Amaro; and

WHEREAS, Every citizen in New York State has most certainly
benefited, in one way or another, from the deep dedication, intelligence
and commitment Joseph Ferris brought to his work as a mentor, legislator
and public policy-maker; a loyal friend and trusted advisor, he will be
deeply missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative
Body; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of former New York State Assemblyman Joseph Ferris, and
to express its deepest condolences to his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Joseph Ferris.