Charles Edwin Ferguson

The youngest of two brothers, Charles was born to Elsie (Stolting) and Charles Raymond Ferguson, in Logans Ferry, Pennsylvania, on November 19, 1933. He graduated from New Kensington High School, and continued on to Penn State University where he graduated with a degree in engineering.

He married his wife, and the mother of his children, Carole Ruth Crawford, on July 2, 1955 and then entered the United States Army where he served until _______.

After his service, Charles entered the business world working for US Steel Corporation; Dow Corning Corporation; Hammermill Paper Company, where he served as director of management information services; and ultimately at North American Phillips where he was made Director of Data Processing and Systems. On January 1, 1980 he was elected as a Vice President of North American Phillips Corporation, where he was responsible for companywide coordination of data processing and systems, as well as all aspects of information services. This was followed by a promotion to Chief Information Officer, a position he held until his retirement.

Upon retiring from his long career at North American Philips, he worked for JWP Corporation, as well as the Darien YMCA, and Darien High School, where the students affectionately called him Mr. Ferg!

In 1978, he was personally asked by the then current mayor of New York City, Ed Koch, to serve on the New York Industry Advisory Committee on Data Processing. The committee met monthly at Gracie Mansion to review programs and to advise in the implementation of these programs. This played a key role in improving NYC’s ability to manage its computer resources.

Known to all as “Ferg”, he enjoyed an active life that included a love of skiing, scuba diving, racquetball, hand ball, tennis, golf, running, and biking. Other hobbies included wine making, and beer making! Most of all, he was a passionate world traveler; he traveled extensively with his partner of 40 years, Mary Frawley of Jupiter Florida.

He is survived by his children, Scott Ferguson (Kim), Amy Exline (Russ), Cathy Kane and Charles Ferguson (Jane). He was a proud grandfather to Jim, Juliane, Trisha, Scott and Cooper Ferguson, Megan and Alex Exline, Caroline and Olivia Kane, and Reid and Hannah Ferguson. He was a great grandfather to 14 great grandchildren! He is also survived by his partner, Mary Frawley and her children, Peter (Debra) Frawley, John (Debra) Frawley, and Doreen (Rob) Taylor.

He was predeceased by his parents, Elsie and Charles Ferguson; his brother, Don Ferguson and his wife Carole Crawford Ferguson; as well as his granddaughter, Juliane Ferguson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 18th at 10:30 at First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT. A luncheon will follow at the church.

In memory of Charles, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.