Leslie R Ferguson

Leslie “Les” Robertson Ferguson of Lenox, MA passed away peacefully on March 15, 2013 in Scituate, MA. Les, our father, was born on November 2, 1919 in Birr, Ireland to Alexander and Evelyn (Budd) Ferguson. He was a happy man who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He was quick to smile, quick to laugh, always ready to lend a hand and appreciative of the smallest acts of kindness.

Dad immigrated to the United States from Ireland at the age of four. His sister Sheila was born in England and his brother Alexander in the United States. The family settled in Queens and lived a life that was full of fun and adventure. Or so it seemed from the stories he shared with us. He glossed over the adjustment to a foreign country, struggles of the Great Depression, the loss of his father before he was 20. That was Dad - he made light of the difficulties and focused his energy on the good times.

Dad worked in the LP gas industry for forty-eight years, retiring in 1992. He met our mother, Lois, when she came into his office in New York City to apply for a summer job. He always said it was love at first sight. We believed him. They were married a year later and were happy together for almost 40 years. We were blessed with parents who not only loved us but were crazy about each other.

Everyone who knew Dad, knew that he enjoyed sports - most particularly watching his sons play lacrosse, soccer and HOCKEY! Dad was a founding member of the Tri-Town Youth Hockey Association in Berkshire County. He coached both David and Gordon in youth hockey. Dad was well-known for disagreeing with the referees’ decisions. And on at least one occasion he followed his young players out onto the ice for an all out brawl!

As a child, Lesley loved to accompany our father on trips to Grossman’s Lumber as he gathered what he needed for weekend projects. He didn’t have a lot of “handyman” skills but he was never afraid to tackle a project. Lesley credits her love of Home Depot and hardware stores back to those special times with Dad.

Dad was a very creative person. He was an avid model railroader and spent many hours creating a very cool track layout in his basement. He was always available to consult on a school project and could be counted on to play Santa every Christmas in our Mom’s classroom. He loved to sing and dance and he and Mom enjoyed Square Dancing as a young couple and later Scottish Country Dancing.

After Mom died, Dad moved first to New Hampshire and then to the South Shore of Massachusetts to be closer to his children and grandchildren. Dad lived a long, happy life and he will be greatly missed by his family.

Les Ferguson is survived by his daughter Lesley Dongara and her husband Charles of Scituate,MA, and her daughter Jillian Smith of Brighton, MA; his son David Ferguson and his wife Lynda and their children Brian and Kathryn of Scituate, MA and his son Gordon Ferguson and his children Victoria, MacKenzie and Chloe of Cincinnati, OH.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 6th at St Lukes Episcopal Church, in Scituate, MA. A burial service will be held on June 22, 2013 at the Mountain View Cemetery in Lenox, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Leslie's memory may be made to a veteran's organization of choice.