Reverend James Ferry Dies 

Born in Fall River on February 20th, 1953, he was the son of the late John Ferry, Sr. and Emily (Costa) Ferry. Father Ferry attended Swansea Public Grammar School and was an Honor Graduate from the Bristol County Agricultural High School in Dighton, MA. He attended Saint John’s Seminary, Brighton, Massachusetts for College and Theology and was ordained to the Priesthood on June 16, 1984 in Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Fall River, MA by the Most Reverend Daniel A. Cronin, then Bishop of the Diocese of Fall River. 

Following his Ordination, Father Ferry served as Parochial Vicar of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford from July 4, 1984 until July, 1993. During his time at that Parish, he assisted the then Pastor, Monsignor Luis G. Mendonca, in overseeing the extensive renovation of the Parish Church. Father then served as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Taunton until June, 1995 when he was assigned as Parochial Vicor at Espirito Santo Parish until he was named Pastor in June, 1996. 

During his years as Pastor, Father Ferry was primarily responsible for the renovation of the Parish Church and Parish Hall as well as being a strong advocate for the Parish School. In addition to him being Pastor of Espirito Santo Parish, he was named Administrator of Our Lady of Health Parish in Fall River in July, 2004 which he maintained until that Parish was closed in 2006. Following the merging of that Parish, Father Ferry oversaw the construction of a new Chapel connected to Espirito Santo Church dedicated to Our Lady of Health. 

Due to several years of ill health, Father Ferry was forced to retire on July 1, 2014. Following his retirement, Father moved to Inola, Oklahoma and assisted at the Parishes of Saint Cecilia in Claremore, OK and Saint Ann’s in Welch, OK. He will long be remembered and admired for his dedication, devotion and presence to the People of God in all of the parishes to which he was assigned and ministered. He was and will be forever fondly known by all who knew him, respected and loved him as simply “Father Jim”. 

Father Ferry is survived by his siblings, Emily Monteiro, Irene King, Evelyn Jones, Catherine Vecchio, Patricia Moniz, and John Ferry, Jr. Also his sister-in-law Barbara Jean Ferry as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was the brother of the late Agnes Massey, Anne Tripp and Edward Ferry. In addition to his family are the many close friends, whom he considered to be his extended family in the Inola, Oklahoma area, who have been so very kind to him for many years along with the countless friends and parishioners from throughout the Diocese of Fall River. 

Father Ferry’s body will be transferred to Espirito Santo Church, 311 Alden Street, Fall River, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 4 PM, where he will lie in repose until a Vigil Service at 8 PM to which all are invited to attend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at 11 AM with His Excellency, Bishop Edgar M. DaCunha as Principal Celebrant. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Somerset. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Father Jim’s name to Espirito Santo School, 143 Everett Street, Fall River, MA 02723, Attention Mr. Andrew Raposo, Principal. Arrangements by the Manuel Rogers Funeral Home, 1521 North Main St, Fall River, MA 02720.  

May the Lord grant Father Ferry the fullness of life promised to His faithful ones. 

Diocese of Fall River

Office of Communications