Charles Downing Ferry II

Charles Downing Ferry II, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

He was born in Orange, NJ and grew up on Walker Road, West Orange where he spent his youth. After a long stint in the Air Force and living in many places in the United States, he returned to Glen Ridge before moving to Pompton Plains in 2007.

Charles received his formal education at West Orange High School, graduating with the Class of 1951. He then went to Upsala University in East Orange where he was enrolled in the Air Force Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he married Belinda (nee Beach) Ferry in June of 1955 and then began his military career.

He joined the United States Air Force in 1956 and graduated from pilot training in May of 1957. Charles acted as both an instructor and a command pilot, flying C130 cargo aircraft in tactical and evac missions in and out of Vietnam, and KC-135 refueling tanker aircrafts where he flew as aircraft commander in SAC (Strategic Air Command). This was at a time when that plane was brand new and played an important role in the early years of the Cold War. Upon returning to the States, Charles continued flying the KC-135 and was promoted to Major while flying his final leg as an Air Force Pilot in the EC-135. That aircraft was a highly specialized version equipped to handle the tracking and telemetry between the Apollo-Soyuz spacecraft and mission control; a highlight in his 20-year military flying career since it was part of the historic joint US-Russia space missions which led to the launch of the International Space Station!

After retirement, Charles settled down in Glen Ridge, NJ where he found a new calling in public service. He was part of the volunteer fire department for Glen Ridge and the Volunteer Ambulance Unit. He eventually became the first paid member of the Montclair Ambulance Unit and helped pave the way for future paramedics out of Mountainside Hospital.

After the untimely passing of Charles’ son-in-law John Acampora in 2003, Charles stepped in to be a father figure for his grandkids when they needed him most. It was not uncommon to see paramedic trucks parked outside his home and he would explain every component of that truck for his grandkids to learn. They truly loved him and valued the incredible insight he could teach from his first-hand experience. The mark he left behind on their lives can’t be overstated and they will miss him dearly.

Beyond his time spent in the skies and helping those in need, Charles enjoyed his hobby of gardening and growing delicious vegetables at his home. He also loved snow skiing, making many excursions to Vermont and Pennsylvania slopes during the cold winter months.

Charles was a member of the Air Force Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

Surviving Charles are his two daughters: Lisa Acampora and her husband Robert Barbara of Wayne and Alison Psota and her husband Michael Psota of Wanaque; his two sons: Robert Ferry and his wife Tara Ferry of Riverview, Florida and Charles Ferry and his wife Margaret Ferry of Deerfield, Michigan; his sister Nancy Grove of Michigan; his six grandchildren Michael Acampora and his wife Rihana, Christopher Acampora and his wife Karley Acampora, Maxwell Ferry, Ava Ferry, Hannah Balla and her husband Abdul Balla, and Charles Ferry and his wife Taylor Ferry; and his three great-grandchildren: Levi Balla, Mariah Balla, and Madison Acampora. Charles was predeceased by his wife of 53 years Belinda (nee Beach) Ferry (D. 2008).

If you’re looking to send flowers, the family requests that you instead make memorial donations to your local volunteer ambulance or VFW in Charles' memory.