Ferd W. Irish

Ferd W. Irish    “beloved husband, father, and brother”

COUDERSPORT, PA---Ferd W. Irish, 82, a longtime resident of Coudersport, passed away in his home with his loving wife by his side on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, after a long illness.

Born on July 29, 1935 in Caribou, Maine, he was a son of John E. and Evelyn Anderson Irish.  On October 15, 1960 in Norwalk, Connecticut, he married Leonora C. “Lee” Pennington, who survives.

Ferd was a graduate of Caribou High School and was a graduate of the University of Maine in Orno, Maine with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics.  In 1960, Ferd and his wife moved to Coudersport establishing the family potato farm, Irish Farms, on Denton Hill, which he worked until ill health forced his retirement.

Ferd was a member of St. Bibiana Catholic Church in Galeton, a member of Eulalia Lodge #342 F. & A.M. in Coudersport, a member of the Coudersport Consistory, a member of the Zem Zem Shrine in Erie, and a member and past president of the Pennsylvania Potato Growers Co-op.  He also served as vice president of the National Potato Council and was a member and past president of the Board of Directors of the Tri-County Electric Company Co-op in Mansfield. One of Ferd’s proudest accomplishments was being named Master Farmer.

Surviving besides his wife are a son, Wayne J. Irish of Coudersport; a sister, Elaine (Richard) Rife of The Dalls, Oregon; a brother-in-law, Charles R. (Mae) Pennington of Norwalk, Connecticut; and three nieces.

Friends may call from 10am to noon on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at St. Bibiana Catholic Church, 111 Germania Street, Galeton, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at noon with the Rev. Joseph Dougherty, pastor, as celebrant.  Burial will be in Sweden Hill Cemetery, Coudersport.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ferd’s name may be made to World Vision, a charity that supports children and families providing animals and basic agricultural necessities for needy African communities, at www.worldvision.org or World Vision, PO Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Ferd’s family has entrusted his care to Kevin J. Dusenbury, funeral director/owner of the Virgil L. Howard Funeral Home, Shinglehouse.

To express condolences or share a fond memory of Ferd, please visit www.virgillhowardfuneralhome.com