CHARLES “CHUCK” McFERREN

Chuck was born October 18, 1941, in the Ohio Valley Hospital in Steubenville, OH, son of the late Helen Dorothy (Vogelsong) and William A. McFerren. He was also preceded in death by his brother, William Ritchie McFerren.

Chuck is survived by his wife of 58 years, Linda (Joy) McFerren, and their daughter, Melinda “Mindy” (Jeff) Jones, a grandson, Zane, a granddaughter Josey (Bader), and a great-granddaughter, Mia Lynn, all of Toronto. He also leaves behind a sister, Janet Mossor, of Atlanta, GA, as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Chuck graduated from Toronto High School in 1960 and was a Boilermaker with Local 154 by trade. He started his own fabricating business in the driveway of his home, and eventually went full-time with McFerren Enterprises, Inc, and worked hard at that until he sold that business at the age of 49 and went on to build Empire Mini Storage.

A business which required less of his time allowed him to live his dreams. He and Linda made several trips on the Great Lakes by boat – navigating the Trent-Severn River System up through Canada to the Georgian Bay in a 29-ft Sea Ray, taking a 32 ft Silverton Sport Fish from Port Clinton to Mackinaw Island, and finally bringing 1 34 ft trawler from North Carolina up the Intercoastal Waterway through the Erie Canal and finally to Port Clinton, OH. Trading the boat for a motorhome, he and Linda continued to travel until becoming “snow-birds” in the Florida Keys.

All these years peppered with “Chuck-isms” like “It only costs 80% more to go first class!” “The heat’s in the tools.” And “Don’t let the old man in!” And, of course, several not suitable for print.

He lived life to the fullest. Chuck was a leader in every sense of the word – but if he was on a job even as a boss, he was still the hardest worker. He attracted grease, oil, and dirt like a magnet. He was responsible for the ripped jeans fad. Chuck could talk with anyone, made friends easily, and helped others with their mechanical problems whenever he could.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life on Friday, June 28 at 5 pm at the J.E. Foster Funeral Home in Toronto. There will be a time of gathering from 4 pm to 5 pm prior to the Celebration.

Chuck’s family would like to say THANK YOU to the Nurses, the CNAs, and Dr. Chris Marino, all of the UPMC Shadyside Hospital.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Toronto High School Alumni Association to which he gave regularly.

www.jefosterfh.com