Emery Charles Ferderber

Emery Charles “Chuck” Ferderber was 73 years old. Chuck lived all over the world with his family and resided in Apopka, Florida. He passed away June 30, 2023. Chuck passed away quietly surrounded by family at Apopka Advent Health ICU under hospice care. He died unexpectedly of septicemia and multi-organ failure.

Chuck was born in New York City on September 22, 1949, and was the first-born son to Vivian Lanza and Emery Ferderber. He had an older sister Judy, younger brothers Robert and Fred and baby sister Marie.

Chuck was involved with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and lived independently in an apartment with support staff. He held many jobs including Westmonte Community Center, Olive Garden, Winn Dixie, Publix and SWOP. Being retired did not mean he stayed at home, he went out daily in the community enjoying the library, local parks and lakes and visiting Walmart, McDonalds, Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts.

He was an accomplished bowler and competed regularly in the Special Olympics. He also enjoyed horses and therapy riding. He competed and earned a bronze medal in equitation (which is the ability to ride correctly) at the Special Olympics on his favorite horse “Miss Kitty”. He dressed daily in jeans, boots and a hat. You could find him in a cowboy hat, baseball hat, and during the holidays a Santa hat. Christmas was his favorite holidays; he would decorate his room and countdown the days. Halloween was another favorite, he liked dressing up as Elvis, Spiderman and Superman and go trick or treating. Come to think of it, any holiday with candy was Chuck’s favorite.

Some of his favorite DVD’s were his superheroes collection. Chuck had a very large and diverse collection of DVDs which he liked watching after his day out in the community.

Chuck enjoyed all types of music growing up in the 60’s. He was a fan of Elvis, Motown, the Beatles and many more. Big sister Judy always had music playing in the house and his parents would move the furniture out of the way so they could dance in the living room to Lawrence Welk on the TV. Both his parents were in the military. His mother Vivian was a Naval officer and a registered nurse, and his father Emery was a Lt. Col in the Air Force. He loved anything to do with the Navy or Police for that matter. He sported a military haircut and wanted to be in the Navy or a Police Officer when he grew up.

Chuck is predeceased by his father Emery Isadore Ferderber, Mother Vivian Lanza Ferderber, sister Judy Lee Hayes and baby Hope Holmes.

Chuck is survived by his brother Robert Ferderber (MaryEllen), Brother Fred Ferderber, Sister Marie Ferderber (Bruce) Len, Sister Judy Lee Hayes’ family in Ohio. Nieces and nephews Kyle Len, Dana Len (Aaron) Holmes, Casey Lee (Louis) Russo, Stephanie Lee Rodriguez, Michelle Lee (James) DePuy, Eric (Jill) Lee, Hannah Ferderber (Kyle) Burke, Evan Ferderber, Ashley Ferderber (James) Cayenne. There are also 14 great nieces and nephews, 7 great grand nieces and nephews. Father Emery had a large family and there are cousins and their families in Iowa, Indiana and California who mourn his loss. In addition to his family Chuck is survived by his caregivers and support staff who were as much family as his own and were truly the key to his success.

The Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Friday evening July 21, 2023, at 5pm to 7pm with Pastor David of Apopka Baptist Church directing the service at 6pm. Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home 90 Weathersfield Ave. Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 will host the memorial.

Saturday morning July 22, 2023, at 10 am will be the internment of the ashes at the Highlands Cemetery 3329 East Semoran Blvd. Apopka, FL 32703.

Flowers can be sent to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home 90 Weathersfield Ave Apopka Fl. 32714 or in lieu of flowers a donation to Special Olympics can be made in memory of Chuck at specialolympics.org.

Chuck always had a smile, a handshake and a “hello friend” for everyone he met. He had a pure child-like faith and spirit, and his essence is captured by his favorite expression “God can do it”.

You will always be in our hearts, Brother, rest in peace.