Michael J. Ferris
October 21, 1966 - October 30, 2022
Michael J. Ferris, 56, of Middletown, DE and his daughter, Alexis C. Ferris, 19, together lost their lives in a car accident on October 30, 2022.
Mike was born in Elizabeth, NJ on October 21, 1966 to Michael T. Ferris and Elizabeth A. (Geeza) Ferris. A 1984 graduate of Bethel High School in Bethel, CT. Mike entered the Air Force immediately following High School. After 10 years of honorable service as an airplane mechanic, he earned a medical discharge in 1994. Later he attended Lee University in Columbia, TN and also took business courses in Delaware.
Upon leaving the Air Force, Mike worked in insurance then for a season at MBNA. His entrepreneurial nature eventually led him to real estate. Mike started several companies including Ferris Properties, Local Pro-Funding LLC, Farnsworth Investment Group LLC, and Lex Management LLC. In 2009, Mike founded the Delaware Real Estate Investors Association (DelREIA.) As the Founder of DelREIA, he was featured in an April 2019 edition of Delaware Today magazine for his work in the Delaware home renovation market.
Over the years, Mike’s hobbies and community service have included prison ministry, skydiving, and fitness including CrossFit. His most recent excitement has been jet skiing. He enjoyed his dogs, Benjamin, Juniper & Sandy. Most of all, he cherished spending time with his daughters, Alexis and Ella, and his partner in life, Megan Donahue.
At the time of passing Mike made his home in Middletown, DE. He is predeceased by his Aunt Michaelene Ambrozy, and his grandparents, Carmen and Sophie Ferris, and Michael and Anne Geeza.
Mike is survived by his precious daughter, Ella Grace Ferris; his parents, Michael T. and Elizabeth A. Ferris of Millville, DE; his siblings, Cori and Robert Treanor of Robbinsville, NJ, Andra and Scott Ingalls of Ledyard, CT, Christin and Bill Thompsen of Allentown, NJ, and Eric and D’Ann Ferris of Elburn, IL; aunt and uncle Gail and Robert French of Littleton, CO; and his uncle, Stephen Ambrozy. His family will miss Mike’s understated teasing, his adventurous nature, and his intentional generosity.
His tribe of surviving nieces, nephews, and cousins are; Nicole and Sam Manganaro with Analise & Colin, John French, Luke and Jessica French with Nolan, Joshua and Annie Ingalls, Nathan and Achley Ingalls with Joshua, Samantha Ingalls, Michael Ferris, Ryan Treanor, Abigail Ingalls, Courtney Ferris, William Thompsen, Sophia Thompsen, Matthew Thompsen, Erin Ferris, and Katie Ferris. More than just a ‘fun uncle’, Uncle Mikey built an individual connection with each of them.
He is also survived by his wonderful partner in life, Megan Donahue and her mother, Carol Donahue of Townsend, DE, Christopher, Sr. & Nicole Donahue (children C.J. and Natalie) of Middletown, DE, and Thomas Donahue of Newark, DE. Mike loved Megan. Megan will forever miss her soul mate, the time they spent with Alexis, Ella and their dogs Benny and Junie.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 12 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 East Main Street, Middletown, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 12 pm. Interment will be held privately in Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Bear, DE.
For those wishing to attend virtually, a livestream link is available by clicking here.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s memory may be made to Habitat for Humanity, Wilmington Chapter, 1920 Hutton Street, Wilmington, DE 19802 or by clicking here.
Chris Donahue
My condolences to the Ferris family and Megan Donahue.
Mike Ferris is a wonderful person looked up to by many.
Will Thompsen
I will always remember his amazing smile and his “fun first” attitude. He always made me feel like my own person, and not just one of his nephews. He made his love for others known, and helped me grow up to be a better man and I will continue to grow as a product of what he has taught me.
Robert & Jennifer Trotman
Our hearts and condolences go out to the entire family; especially Ella and Megan, at this sad time. We knew Mike and his daughters thru Chris and Nicole and was in their company on many celebratory events they had. Mike was really personable, as was his daughters. This was such a tragic way to leave this world. Mike will always be with us in our hearts and memories where he will always be with us.
Maria Angelos and family
So sorry for your loss our condolences to the family , May their memory be eternal.
Mike & Judy Angelo
Our deepest sympathy to all Mike’s loved ones. We pray your memories of him will bring you comfort. 💔🙏🏻
Debbie. Dickerson
My deepest sympathies
Much love
Debbie & Kenny Dickerson
Adriana
My heart breaks for Ella and Megan and all that loved them. My God send comfort and love to all they touched. Angels were needed somewhere out of our realm.
Gary L Berger
You have our dearest condolences the Berger family
Kay Lowe
I met and spent time with Mike and Megan only a few times. That said, my thoughts regarding Mike were that he was an extraordinarily gifted and wonderful guy. I will, as I have shared with Megan, miss him.
Stephen Sell
Such a loss! I’m so sorry for all who loved him. I had the opportunity to work with Mike for several years and found him to be such a nice, caring person. The world needed him and will miss him.
Louie and Rhee Lotito
Mike and Liz so very very sorry to hear about your son and granddaughter. I pray for God’s peace in your hearts. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers 🙏 ❤️ ♥️
Judith Rindone
My Deepest Sympathy and Prayers, to my dear cousins, Mike, Liz and family.
We are all so saddened, by the great loss of your precious loved ones.
Surely God has them in his heavenly care.
My family and I will pray for your comfort and peace at this difficult time.
Love, Judi
Jordan Shupe
Mike was truly an inspiration. He was a joy to be around and had a way of making you feel better just by being around him. My deepest condolences to his family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Robert Lilley
RIP Mike…..You were one of the GOOD GUYS…..
Dominique Frederique
My condolences, you will be missed. Thank you for playing part of my life. 🙏🏾
Elvis&Alesia
It is with utmost regret to hear the passing of our dear friend. We send our condolences to his family. We will celebrate him and his daughter earning their wings an they will forever be in our hearts and spirit. RIP in eternity until we meet again.
Shannan Beck
My sincerest sympathy to the entire Ferris and Donahue family. What an unimaginable loss. I met Mike when I served as school counselor to Alexis. He was a wonderful father and I’ll always remember his kindness in allowing me to come to their home during the pandemic to visit with Alexis, see the puppies and help her w/ school work. Rest In Peace Mike and Alexis. Y’all certainly left a beautiful imprint on my heart and many others.
Dr. Kim Warfield-Walker
My condolences to Mike’s family and Megan. I only got to meet him for a short time when joining DELREIA. He will be missed by many!
Jennifer Clements
Mike was truly an inspiration to those that met him and knew him. My sincere condolences to the family for their loss. I will be praying for them.
Diana Atkins
We want to express our sincerest condolences to the family. Keeping you all in prayer.
The Atkins Family
Earl E. Walker, Sr.
My condolences to the Michael J. Ferris Family. Mike as he was known by most, was a very friendly person. I once lived on the same street as Mike. I rarely saw him without his young daughters. Once Mike met someone, he never forgot that person. I am sure he will be missed by many.
Shawn Davis
My heart is heavy & condolences to Ella & Meghan. I feel for you and pray for God’s comfort to come upon you. I learned a lot from Mike, and I will miss our mountain bike rides.
Ginger Watt
To my cousins Mike and Liz and all their family, I send my deepest condolences and prayers. I keep thinking back to our family picnics in NJ, when we were all together and happy. May God bless Mike and Alexis and keep them in His care. Much love, Ginger
Joanne Balaisius
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope that your faith and strength will sustain you through this tragedy. Please know that my entire family is thinking of you. Joanne
shelley dougherty
Deepest sympathies and condolences for the loss of Mike and Alex. Our families knew each other from our daughters going to St. Anne’s Episcopal together. Mike was always so happy and upbeat and such a devoted father to Alex and Ella. My thoughts, prayers and love are with the family as they navigate this loss.
Tim Oppelt
Mike was a man who lived his life to the fullest. I always respected his commitment to excellence for his life, business, and health. He supported me throughout my real estate career,especially when I was just get starting. After hearing news of his passing, I realized how much Mike impacted my life and I would not be anywhere near where I am today without the amazing community that he built in Delaware.
What brings me some peace is that even though Mike was taken from us too soon, he lived a fuller life than most ever do.
Christina McKeown
Mike was an extraordinary human. He was kind, wise, compassionate and hilarious. I met him at a particularly low period in my life and he was pivotal in showing me how wonderful life can be; even during the lows. I don’t think I even realized what am impact he had on me until I heard of his tragic passing. My heart is broken. I am so happy that Mike found Megan and they had nearly a decade together. I went to school and graduated with Megan and she is one of the kindest, most beautiful souls that I have ever met. God knew when he brought these two together. My deepest sympathy to Megan, Ella and the entire extended Ferris family.
Jack Castro
Dear Mike & Alexis
I’m so sorry you had to go prematurely and without notice. In the time I was a member of Delreia, I always looked forward to the first Tuesday of every month. Your expertise about real estate was incredible, but beyond that I admired you as public speaker that would welcome and easily engage any newcomer. I admired your willingness to help others figure out their own professional growth. You had a knack for making others feel better, so many people were drawn to you, a true leader!
You selflessly shared your expertise with others, always in the spirit of cooperation, disregarding this could strengthen your competition – you were a perfect example of generosity. You had an innate talent for bringing so many different people from different walks of life together in a time when our country needs just that. Through your work and friendship, I was able to make invaluable relationships with various professionals I would’ve simply had no access to and these folks have been so helpful to me, not to mention the deals you got me involved in and have contributed to my family’s wealth.
Everybody is unique in their own way, Mike, but you are truly irreplaceable and this community has lost a lot with your departure.
I will miss you. My heart is with your family and friends, and if I can pay it forward in any way to them, I hope they reach out to me.
Jack Castro
Joe & JoJo Palumbo
Our deepest sympathies for Ella, Mike, Liz, Cori, Christin and the entire Ferris family. As I viewed the keepsake video, it appeared that Mike led a short but full life. He seemed his happiest with his daughters. No doubt he was both blessed and a blessing to his family. We pray that God shower them all with his loving comfort.
Dave and Clara ALdrich
So sad to hear about Michael. Deepest sympathy, much love and prayers to your family!
Jason Hopkins
Mike was a true friend and mentor and amazing brother-in-Christ. I will forever be grateful for the time I got to spend with him and soak up his compassion, humor and support in pointing me on my journey with the Lord. We laughed so much and I will forever miss that contagious and boisterous laugh. Our time in DE, Lee University and traveling to his parents house in Murfreesboro, TN were special memories. My heart and prayers go out to the entire Ferris family for this tremendous loss in Mike and Alexis.
Denise Andrews (&Peanut)
My sincere condolences to Mike’s family and to Megan. A tragic loss for everyone. As one of his neighbors on Quincy, I only knew him a short time but he would always stop to chat and say hello when we saw each other walking our dogs. He certainly had a gentle soul and an open-heart. He and his daughter will be missed in the neighborhood.
Luke French
Mike was a great guy. He filled many roles, brother, father, son. To me he was my big cousin Mikey. Growing up on opposite sides of the country we didn’t see each other a lot, but every time we did it was great. I admired his entrepreneurial spirit, and his commitment to family. As a fellow veteran I would also like to extend gratitude for his service to our country with the US Air Force. I love you Cousin Mikey. You will be missed.
Steven and Kathy Rindone
Ferris family,
Mike was such a blessing to have around, he will be sorely missed by us. Thank you for being part of our family. Please know he made a difference in our lives!
Love,
Steve, Kathy, Marissa, Jenna and Nicholas
Nancy Rindone
We’re sending heartfelt condolences to our extended family during this sad time. Mikey was a great guy: lots of fun and upbeat; energetic. These are characteristics that are instantly missing for all who had the privilege of knowing him, surely. We’re thinking of you all and sending our love and wishes for peace. – Nancy, Dan & Zack
Deanna Williams
What a beautiful service! We are sending the entire family healing prayers and comforting hugs. I am so sorry for your losses.
Julia Capaldi
I can’t even begin to express my deep sympathy for this tragic loss of Mike and Alexis….My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends they are survived by. May God bless each and every one of you with comfort and healing as you remember Mike and Alexis during these difficult times ahead…..
Kathleen Martin
My condolences and prayers go out to Megan and Ella and the entire Ferris family for your loss of Mike and Alexa. The beautiful memories you made with them will forever be in your hearts and I pray they bring you comfort, peace and strength during this most difficult time 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Paul Jacobs
My wife Ann and I, with heavy hearts, extend our condolences to the Ferris clan. Mike was one of the very few people that I ever knew that was “larger than life”. We hope that in the fullness of time your hearts know peace.
Marlowe and Steven Bogino
We are so very sorry for your loss and pray for God’s peace and comfort for your entire family
Justin Campbell
Mike, Was always smiling and it was contagious. He could always spare a moment to talk or connect you with someone. He is missed by the many lives he touched with his business, friendship, and knowledge. My blessing is with his family and friends.