Ignacio Ferras II

Ignacio was born in 1933 in Cuba, where, in his early years, he served as a school teacher. It was at the school where he taught that he met his wife, Daisy.

In 1968, Ignacio fled communism with Daisy and brought their two children from Cuba to the United States so that they might have a better life.

Together, Ignacio and Daisy worked hard and, in short order, were able to open a grocery store in Atlanta. After several years in Atlanta, they moved to Sarasota, and opened another grocery store, F&D Food Market. F&D Food Market became a staple in the community and was recognized by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune as having one of the Top 10 Cuban sandwiches in the entire Tampa Bay area. Ignacio and Daisy owned and operated the store together for nearly thirty years.

After retiring from the grocery store, Ignacio couldn't sit still. He got a part-time job at Sunnyside Village, a retirement community, as a gardener and put his green thumb to work. He would spend nearly the next twenty years using his gardening talents to bring joy to his co-workers and community residents.

Ignacio loved the land, was passionate about plants, and always had family and animals around him.

Ignacio will be deeply missed, and his legacy of courage and sacrifice in service of his family will be carried by them forever. He is preceded in death by his loving wife, Daisy, and survived by his son, Dr. Ignacio A. Ferras III (Diane), and daughter, Iris Perkins (David); grandchildren, Michael Perkins (Alexandra), Amanda Perkins, and Ignacio Ferras IV; and dogs, Macy and Sam.

The service and burial will be held on Thursday, June 13th, at 3 p.m., at Palms Funeral Home Memorial Park.