Norman A. Ferris
FERRIS, Norman Arthur – In the earliest hours of Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Norman Arthur Ferris died at Hospice Wellington, holding his daughter’s hand and being reminded one final time how much he was loved.
Without you, the grass has lost its greenness
Without you, the sky’s not as blue
Without you, the clouds show a little more meanness
For without you, I don’t know what to do
Without you, my tears never stop falling
Without you, I never stop calling your name
Without you, my heart’s torn asunder
Like the rain followed by the thunder
Norm (born February 17, 1944) was predeceased by his precious wife Ruth Doris Ophelia Pharoah (1999), after 30 years of marriage. He was also predeceased by his parents Edmond Arthur Ferris (1993) & Lillian Violet Waters (1995), as well as his older sister, Myrna Bernice Ferris (2018). Norm is lovingly remembered by his two daughters, Stephanie Ferris & Kelly Ferris, and his delightful grandson, Jameson Perrett. Norm will be tenderly missed by the Pharoah family, sister- & brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, and extended relatives, many of whom surrounded him and his daughters especially in his final months.
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3) Norm’s family is deeply grateful for the recent months of medical care provided by the Guelph General Hospital, as well as periods of care at Louise Marshall Hospital, and Hamilton General Hospital, and for all the PSWs who helped keep him independent in his home over the last year, which was exactly what he wanted. For all the tender care he received, we are so thankful to the entire staff of the hospitals who contributed to his care: the nurses, PSWs, and doctors who attended to him daily, and also the housekeepers, pharmacists, dieticians, and kitchen & cafeteria staff, the social workers, patient relations staff, and all the folks behind the scenes we never met who did lab work, the administrators, and many others: Thank you for all you do so our dear loved one had a place to land in a time he needed it. Your hand was God’s hand for him (Proverbs 3:27 MSG) giving us more time together.
We are also deeply grateful to Hospice Wellington for the kind, supportive, and experienced staff & volunteers who cared for Norm & his family at the end. You helped us honour his final two days, and brought beauty and gentleness to a difficult time.
Above all, Norm was grateful to God for his ever-present hand sustaining him through the years, more evidently in the recent months of physical fragility. Many, many times he expressed tender gratitude to all those who continued to pray for him, especially those at Crestwicke Baptist Church, who carried him in prayer for years. While he grieved his declining health, he also was moved to tears more than once over God’s goodness to him, praising God in times when the physical pain was unbearable. While Norm hoped for more time with his precious daughters, and believed that God could sustain him as He had been his entire life, he expressed a deep, joyous assurance over God’s grace and his eternal hope: “Jesus paid the price for my foolishness and sin, and gave me His righteousness.”
There is so much more we want to share & remember about Norm. We invite you to please join us as we grieve his death and our loss, and celebrate his life.
An evening visitation is planned for Monday, February 2, 2026, from 6 to 8 pm at Crestwicke Baptist Church (400 Speedvale Avenue East, Guelph).
A funeral celebration of life will take place Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 11 am, followed by a light luncheon at Crestwicke Baptist Church (400 Speedvale Avenue East, Guelph). Arrangements entrusted to Wall-Custance Funeral Home.
As expressions of sympathy, flowers are very welcome, as are donations in memory of Norm to the Guelph General Hospital and Crestwicke Baptist Church. Donation cards will be available at the visitation & funeral. For those unable to attend, condolences may be left online on the funeral home website.
Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051 / www.wallcustance.com.
A tree will be planted in memory of Norman A. Ferris in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.