John Thomas Ferguson

John Thomas Ferguson died after a short and brave battle with lung cancer on October 11, 2025. He was born in Albany, GA to Janice and Tom Ferguson on August 31, 1946. An Eagle Scout, John graduated in 1968 with a degree in History from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1976. He spent the majority of his career as General Counsel for Crompton and Knowles Corporation, headquartered in CT.

John was an enthusiastic traveler. The year after his college graduation, he skied the Alps and then found himself in the Hofbrauhaus in Munich along with a group from England. They were headed overland to India in a truck. John joined them on their trek through Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and finally India.

John joined the Army as an officer in the 3rd Infantry Division in 1969. He spent his Army tour in Aschaffenburg, Germany and continued his travels, running with the bulls in Pamplona and driving his TR6 throughout Europe. He met his wife Anthonie (Toni) in the Lucky Star bar in Amsterdam, where they were both following a suggestion from Arthur Frommer's book Europe On $5 a Day. During part of his time in the Army, John was assigned to work in the JAG Corps and developed an interest in the law. He retired from the Army as a Captain, having found life-long friends, a wife, and a career.

John grew up in Virginia Beach, VA, and he loved the water. He was an excellent swimmer, water skier, fisherman, boatsman, and deep-sea diver. He chartered sailboats and captained his family crew in the Caribbean, around Corsica in the Mediterranean, and in the South Pacific, around the islands of French Polynesia. His love of fishing took him all over the world, from Alaska to South America, and he always dutifully shipped fresh fish home to Connecticut.

Throughout his life, John continued to travel as much as possible, both in the United States and across the globe. Whether crossing the ocean on the QEII, driving his family through the jungle in Mexico in a VW bus, or riding in a rickshaw through the streets of Thailand, he never lost his appetite for seeing and doing more. John was famous for his tours of Washington D.C., where he traveled with countless exchange students and family members, never tiring of teaching about American history and democracy.

He was a deer and turkey hunter and loved shooting quail and pheasant with his cherished bird dog, Meg. After retirement, John had chickens and pigs on a community farm on Daufuskie Island, SC. He sold sea island honey from his bee hives and was a Master Naturalist. He appreciated good food and developed a love of planning and preparing elaborate family meals later in his life. Whether smoking his own meat, making his own vinegar, or canning his own fruit, there wasn't much he wouldn't try.

As a dad, John encouraged his daughters, always. He spent countless hours at swimming and diving meets and soccer games and traveled long distances (sometimes making transatlantic trips) to support them in their endeavors. He rarely missed school presentations or performances and was known to direct his colleagues that he was always to be interrupted, no matter the circumstances, when one of his girls called the office. As a grandfather, he relished the opportunity to help with family history projects, having spent countless hours researching his family's ancestry.

A lifelong learner, John was working on his Masters in History at the Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond when he became ill. Older than his fellow students, and usually his professors, John was able to bring a unique perspective to his weekly seminars.

John Ferguson was a true Renaissance Man, with many interests and talents. He lived life to the fullest. May we all follow that lead.

John is predeceased by his parents, Janice and Tom Ferguson. He leaves behind his loving wife, Toni; three beautiful and talented daughters, Kate (Josh Bresler), Emily Mason (Frank), and Johanna Goulding (Matthew); nine grandchildren, Tommy, Caroline, Nate, Abby, and Nora Bresler, John and Clara Mason, and Emma and Willa Goulding; sister, Jan Hadden; niece, Jennifer Moses (Michael); and great-niece, Annie Moses. He will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the Ferguson family encourages you to make a donation to your local Audubon Society.

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