Richard "Rick" J. Ferris

Richard “Rick” J. Ferris, age 71, of Malcom, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. Private family services will be held. Inurnment will be at a later date at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Malcom. To honor Rick, friends may gather from 4-7 p.m., Friday, December 2, 2022, at the Malcom Auditorium in Malcom. A memorial fund has been established. Kloster Funeral Home in Brooklyn is assisting the family with arrangements.

Rick is survived by his wife Stephanie of Malcom; his two daughters Cassandra “Cassie” (Josh) LaKose of Malcom, Adrianna “Nikki” (“Nuno”) Saric of Altoona; four grandchildren, Caden, Joseph, Beeya, and Jacob; and his sisters Kelly (Walter) Petrucci of Mims, FL., and Dianne (Richard) Griswold of Edgewater, FL.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Richard Joseph Ferris was born January 27, 1951, in New Haven, CT., the son of Joseph and Jeananne Beringer Ferris. As a young boy Rick worked as a paperboy, golf caddy and later a milkman. He graduated from Madison high school in Madison, CT., with the class of 1969. Rick enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1969. After serving in the U.S. Navy Rick went on to graduate from the Culinary Institute of America. He was united in marriage to Stephanie Whittall in September 1985 in St. Cloud, FL. After they were married the couple made their home in Florida. Rick worked as a chef at several 5-star restaurants including Walt Disney World in Florida. He also was a chef for the Atlanta Braves and several other celebrities. In 2001, Rick and his family moved to Chelsea, Iowa. He continued his work as a chef for the Brooklyn 80 restaurant. Rick enjoyed watching NFL football, and his favorite place to drop a line was at Diamond Lake. He belonged to the G.I.V.E. Foundation, which stands for Golf for Injured Veterans. He would get to continue his love for the game of golf at several local courses. Rick had a great sense of humor, and his level of sarcasm was through the roof. He loved his family, and his greatest passion was his grandkids. He especially enjoyed teaching them and watching them learn and grow.