Gary Anthony Ferrari

Gary was born and raised in Detroit. He graduated from Pershing High School and he earned an associate’s degree before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1966. He honorably served his country as a member of the Third Marine Division in Vietnam from March 1967 to April 1968 where he saw combat during the opening months of the Tet Offensive. He received the Purple Heart for wounds he sustained in battle. 

           After Vietnam Gary joined the Detroit Police Department. His 12 years of service, cut short by injuries sustained on duty, was full of merit. Gary loved being a DPD helicopter pilot. He met his future bride, Mary Caine, while on duty. The couple was married for 48 years before his beloved wife passed away in 2018.

In the early fall of 2020, Gary’s second recurrence of esophageal cancer was diagnosed. Gary passed away peacefully at his Grosse Pointe Woods home. He leaves behind two daughters, Jennifer Ferrari (Ron Coste) and Kristen McLeod (Derek McLeod), and four grandchildren—Madeline, Devin, Christian, and Benjamin. Gary will be fondly remembered for his love of antiques, history, and books, his kind and gentle spirit, and the love for his family.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2021, from 2 pm to 8 pm at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary’s honor to the Semper Fi Fund (semperfifund.org/donate) and Puppies Behind Bars (puppiesbehindbars.com/make-a-donation).