Michael 'Mike' Ferguson, retired OR nurse

Michael “Mike” Joseph Ferguson, 66, of Lewes, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014, at his home with his loving wife by his side. He was born Sept. 13, 1948, in Zanesville, Ohio, son of the late Joseph E. and Mary Ellen (Ansel) Ferguson.

Mr. Ferguson graduated from Bishop Rosecrans High School in Zanesville in 1966 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he would honorably serve his country during the Vietnam War as a Navy corpsman in the 3rd Marine Division. Following his service, he attended nursing school at Mansfield General Hospital in Mansfield, Ohio, graduating as only one of two men in the class of 1972. During his time at school, Mr. Ferguson met the love of his life, Sharon, and together they would lead a wonderful life together.

Mr. Ferguson began his lifelong career in nursing at Bethesda Hospital Emergency Room in Zanesville. For the next 25 years, he would work at South Eastern Ohio Otolaryngology as the first assistant to Dr. John W. Ray. Following Dr. Ray’s retirement, Mr. Ferguson would continue his nursing career at Good Samaritan Hospital Operating Room in Zanesville. In 2003, Mr. Ferguson with his family relocated to Lewes, where he would work at Beebe Healthcare Operating Room until his retirement in 2012.

During his employment with Dr. Ray, Mr. Ferguson was actively involved in forming a support group for the hearing impaired. He was very proud to be an instrumental developer of the group. He was also an active member of the Society of Otorhinolaryngology and Head-Neck Nurses “SOHN” and VFW Mason Dixon Post 7234 in Ocean View.

Mr. Ferguson loved fishing and going on fishing trips with the guys to Big Lake in Alberta, Canada. He was an avid fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns. He enjoyed browsing for antiques and attending art shows as well as reading, emailing and parenting his beloved feline friend Roxy. Above all else, Mr. Ferguson enjoyed traveling with his lovely wife. Together they would celebrate his last birthday touring London in September. It was the perfect last vacation.

In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his loving son whom he was so very proud of, Marshal Joseph Ferguson, who passed away in 2008. Marshal honorably served his country in Iraq as a U.S. Marine.

Mike is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Sharon Hermine Ferguson of Lewes; his two sisters: Julie Brooks and her husband Charley of Louisville, Ky. and Mary Jo Lyon and her husband Patrick of Zanesville, and their families; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins of Zanesville; and many nieces and nephews in Ohio, Colorado and Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Mr. Ferguson’s memory by bringing a new toy to his services for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, or by mail to P.O. Box 767, Georgetown, DE 19947. All donations will support Toys for Tots for the North, West, Central and Eastern Sussex County.

A Celebration of Mr. Ferguson’s Life will be held Saturday, Nov. 22, at 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Highway, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will be private. A reminder, if attending the services, please consider bringing a toy for the Toys for Tots Foundation.

Please visit Mr. Ferguson’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.