VEAZIE - John A. Ferwerda, 94, passed away May 21, 2019, at a Bangor hospital. He was born May 18, 1925 in Whitensville, Massachusetets, the son of Martin and Annie (Hockstra) Ferwerda. John married his beloved wife, Lola (Youngsma) Ferwerda on September 11, 1947.
John was a Navy Veteran of WWII and an Army Veteran of the Korean War. He was a graduate of Northbridge High School, Northbridge Massachusetts, Class of 1943. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Vermont, Class of 1950. He then attended Cornell University and received his Master’s Degree in Soil Science in 1963. He spent his career working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and participated in the National Cooperative Soil Survey. He retired from the USDA as the Main State Soil Scientist in 1983.
John was always active in his local church community. He was an avid gardener and loved the outdoors. He raised African violets, love to hike, bike, and walk to the Penobscot River in Veazie. In his later years, he taught his great-grandchildren the love of gardening, bird watching, and rock collecting.
In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his siblings, Mary Oppenwall, Grace Bolekins, Anne Batts, Peter Ferwerda, and Martin Ferwerda; and a granddaughter, Jessica Mildner. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lola Ferwerda; a son, Martin Ferwerda; daughters, Loralie Mildner, Jean McLeod, and Judy Kelly; 7 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
In keeping with John’s wishes, services will be private for the family. Interment with military honors will be in Fairview Cemetery, Veazie. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Ferwerda, please visit our flower store.
John was a Navy Veteran of WWII and an Army Veteran of the Korean War. He was a graduate of Northbridge High School, Northbridge Massachusetts, Class of 1943. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Vermont, Class of 1950. He then attended Cornell University and received his Master’s Degree in Soil Science in 1963. He spent his career working for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and participated in the National Cooperative Soil Survey. He retired from the USDA as the Main State Soil Scientist in 1983.
John was always active in his local church community. He was an avid gardener and loved the outdoors. He raised African violets, love to hike, bike, and walk to the Penobscot River in Veazie. In his later years, he taught his great-grandchildren the love of gardening, bird watching, and rock collecting.
In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his siblings, Mary Oppenwall, Grace Bolekins, Anne Batts, Peter Ferwerda, and Martin Ferwerda; and a granddaughter, Jessica Mildner. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lola Ferwerda; a son, Martin Ferwerda; daughters, Loralie Mildner, Jean McLeod, and Judy Kelly; 7 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
In keeping with John’s wishes, services will be private for the family. Interment with military honors will be in Fairview Cemetery, Veazie. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com
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