Calvin J. Ferran

Calvin John Ferran, a hardworking and honest man who helped shape neighborhoods across New Orleans and who served as a role model to his family, passed away peacefully at his home on March 14. He was 95.

Born Nov. 23, 1929, to Maximien Guillaume and Estelle Jaundot Ferran, Calvin grew up in the Carrollton neighborhood. He met Frances Burst Ferran, his wife of nearly 60 years and the love of his life, when they worked at Whitney Bank. They married Aug. 20, 1949, and had three children.

His professional accomplishments were many, though he was humble about them. He had a long and active career in the home building and apartment building and management industry. His life’s work was transformative to the development and growth of the New Orleans metropolitan area beginning in the 1950s.

Calvin got his start in the industry as a roofer in his father’s business, eventually taking over Max Ferran & Son. He was a progressive visionary and one of the pioneers in the development of single-family homes and multi-family apartments in Orleans and Jefferson parishes, primarily in the Lakeview and Veterans Boulevard areas.

He was a member of the local chapter of the National Association of Homebuilders since 1960, served as president of the local Home Builders Association in 1964, and was elected to a life membership to the board of directors of the National Association of Homebuilders in 1977. He served as the NAHB Louisiana National Representative in 1968. He was also a member of the board of directors of the Apartment Association of Greater New Orleans, and was elected president in 1975.

Mayor DeLesseps Morrison appointed him to the New Orleans Board of Zoning Adjustments in 1960. In 1972, Mayor Moon Landrieu appointed him chairman and he served in that role until 1979. He was also on the advisory board of Delgado Community College and the board of directors of the Better Business Bureau.

Too young for overseas combat during World War II, Calvin found a way to serve by joining the Louisiana National Guard and achieved the rank of operations sergeant before his honorable discharge.

His business acumen, work ethic and respect for everyone he met influenced the lives and careers of his children and grandchildren. He also knew how to have a good time.

Through homebuilding, he met many lifelong friends with whom he and Frances traveled the world.

An avid and skilled fisherman, Calvin held many state records and Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo-winning catches for multiple Gulf pelagic fish, but his greatest catches were those that fed the family at holidays, including boiled crabs, fried trout and grilled redfish.

Calvin, known to his grandkids as Paw, was happiest spending time at the family fishing camp in Cheniere Caminada, sharing his love of fishing and watching sunsets. At home in New Orleans, Calvin made custom fishing rods for everyone and he and Frances gathered their family and friends around a banquet-sized cypress table. Together they hosted many dinner parties and memorable nights filled with joy and laughter.

His faith was important to him and he was a 60-year parishioner at St. Francis Xavier Church.

Calvin was an incredible person who had a joy for life and a strong will that sustained him. His easy going temperament never wavered, and he carried himself in a calm, gracious and selfless manner up until his death.

Calvin is survived by his daughters, Sheila Ferran and Anne Hardie (Fred); grandchildren Charles Hardie (Jamie), Jason Hardie (Kerri), Jeanne Ferran Waggoner (Trent), Max Ferran (Megan), Calvin Hardie and Claire Cardona Sofhauser (Austen); step-grandchildren Elizabeth and Haas Ferran; and 14 great-grandchildren, with one on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife; son, Rene Ferran (Rebecca); grandson, Nicholas Ferran; his sister, Joyce Merilh; and numerous cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 1:00PM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 11:00AM. The interment will follow the chapel service in Metairie Cemetery.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com