Mr. Michael F. Ferdyn, age 54, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning at the Berkshire Medical Center due to complications from Pneumonia. He was surrounded by his family and his 4 caregivers, Jodi, Janine, Lisa and Christine.
Born in Pittsfield, May 7, 1963, he was the son of Frances M. O’Hearn Ferdyn and the late Anthony J. Ferdyn. He was educated in the local school system and was a 1981 graduate of Taconic High School. Mike began his working career in the trades as a Plumbers Apprentice and was employed at the General Electric Co. until suffering an automobile accident in 1986.
He embraced watching all sports and was especially loyal to his beloved Red Sox and had at his fingertips a ready list of statistics that made him the final word on baseball discussions.
Mike was a talented musician, lyricists, synthesizer player and drummer, but it was the bass guitar he most enjoyed playing. Music, of all genres, was his biggest love and lifelong hobby. He attended concerts passionately and could tell great stories about the many rock bands he saw play live. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of song lyrics and could talk about his favorite bands for hours. Music gave him great comfort and often helped him during his tough times.
Mike was well known for his independence and despite his physical challenge of being confined to a wheelchair he still loved to travel and he did, from Miami to Las Vegas, to the Midwest, California, Hawaii and Germany.
Mike was courageous in the face of his disability and always maintained his sharp wit. His sense of humor was legendary and he could always put those of us who worried about him at ease by poking fun at himself.
Mike was deservedly proud of the time he spent at the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. He worked with research doctors who studied his injuries. Often times the tests were painful but Mike thought that there would be benefits for others in the future. It was a tremendous act of unselfishness that he rarely talked about.
Mike's determination not to let his handicap define who he was gave us who knew him best and loved him the most our own strength to face problems far less severe than the ones he faced daily with grace and hope. He was a hero to his family and friends.
In addition to his mother Frances M. O’Hearn Ferdyn of Pittsfield, Mike is survived by his three brothers, Anthony E. Ferdyn of Santa Barbara, CA, Paul J. Ferdyn of Pittsfield and Mark J. Ferdyn of Pittsfield, his niece, Amber and his nephew, Marcus. Mike is also survived by his uncle and aunt and godparents, Edward and Patricia O’Hearn of Port Charlotte, FL, and several cousins.
SERVICES: Ferdyn, Michael F., age 54, of Pittsfield, died April 17th. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated SATURDAY morning, April 21st at 11:00 AM at St. Charles Church with the Rev. A. Peter Gregory, pastor emeritus, officiating. Please meet at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Charles Church in care of the DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME, which is assisting the Ferdyn family to honor Mike.