Final Salute

Joseph Ferut, Sr., 94, passed away peacefully at home after a short illness Sunday, November 22, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Du Bois, Pennsylvania July 24, 1926 to Peter and Mary (Fyda) Ferut.

Joseph was a member of Assumption Catholic Church for 56 years, where he served as an usher, a funeral acolyte and as an officer of the Holy Name Society. He donated his time to clean the church’s sanctuary and sacristy. More recently he was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, where he served as a funeral acolyte.

Joseph was a World War II Veteran Navy Seabee 43rd Battalion and earned an Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, an American Theater Ribbon, a World War II Victory Medal and a Navy Occupation Service Medal with Asia Clasp for time he spent in Nagasaki, Japan. He was a charter member of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. and with his wife, Ann, attended the memorial’s dedication at special invitation May 29, 2004. With the assistance of Honor Flight Cleveland, he visited the memorial once again in June 2016 accompanied by Honor Flight guardian Judy Church. Joe also served 40 years with the Grafton Volunteer Fire Department and was made Honorary Fireman after his retirement from the department.

Joseph retired from Moen after 17 years and worked previously at General Industries for 20 years. He enjoyed working in his yard and taking care of his home. Traveling to attend Seabee reunions and going on cruises were other favorite pastimes. Most of all, Joseph cherished time spent with his loving family. Joseph was the last of his generation of Feruts , being very proud of his Polish heritage.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ann; children, Mary Anne (Paul) Bembnister of Bloomer, Wisconsin, Joann (Mo) DiNardo of Toledo, Joe Jr. (P.J.) of Vermillion, John (Anita) of Clarksfield, Ohio and Dee Dee (Mark) Tumbas of Grafton; 15 granddaughters; 4 grandsons; 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Mary; stepmother, Cecelia; brothers, Walter, Andrew, Charles, and Edward and sister, Blanche.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Hospice of the Western Reserve.

A private viewing will be held at The Duke Funeral Home, 1021 Main St., Grafton, Friday November 27, 2020. Private funeral mass will be Saturday, November 28, 2020 in the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 708 Erie St., Grafton with Father John Seabold officiating. To see the live stream funeral mass, log on to facebook.com/olqpgrafton at 12 Noon. For those who wish to attend the public burial service at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Grafton, please meet at the church at 12:45 p.m. while remaining in your cars to join in the procession. All Covid 19 pandemic protocols will be observed including face masks.

On-line condolences may be left at www.dukefuneralhome.com