Chad Garrick Ferry

Dear friends and family,  

It is with a heavy heart that we share this sad news with you.  Our beloved son & brother, Chad, has passed away.

For those of you who knew Chad, you were aware how passionate he was about certain things in his life, namely Entertainment, Dance & Basketball, in that order.  From the time he could walk and talk, Chad was an entertainer!  He loved to mimic TV and movie personalities.   Many in the family will remember him as a toddler and youngster portraying Bob Barker from The Price is Right and his imitations of various Super Heroes, like Batman and Wonder Woman.   

Around age 4, Chad was placed into leg braces, which he wore 24/7 for two years.  These were to help correct some developmental foot and hip problems.  Tap dance lessons were suggested as therapy to also aid in correcting those issues.  Once Chad started those dance lessons he barely had interest in anything else!  Even though he played sports: baseball and soccer, he had “dance fever!”  He went from that one beginner tap lesson a week to multiple lessons a week in Jazz, tap, modern and even ballet.   Along with dance, Chad also took voice lessons and began to perform in children’s theatrical productions. By the time he reached High School, he was a seasoned stage performer.  During the four years of HS, he especially enjoyed participating with the Chantilly High School, VA theatre group.

In the 10th grade, he changed dance studios and we drove halfway around the Washington DC Beltway 5 nights a week to attend classes at Terry’s School of Dance in Alexandria, VA.   There, Chad found a niche.   Dance Competitions became of utmost importance in Chad’s life.  Through the next three years plus, he excelled at those competitions, many times receiving top awards in most of his performances.  He formed special bonds with fellow dancers, and many became life-long friends.

Chad graduated from Chantilly HS, VA in 1992 and was awarded a scholarship  to Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA as a dance major.   In 1994, he received an outstanding award of a scholarship to attend the Edge Dance & Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, CA - Chad was enticed and moved across the country.

Following his scholarship period at Edge, Chad began his professional career.  He was hired to perform by several of the “name brand” companies: Disney, Anita Mann Productions, Universal Studios, etc.   His work brought him into contact with many of the entertainment industry celebrities: Prince, the Friends’ cast, Janet Jackson and more.  Performing in shows on cruise lines was especially enjoyable for Chad and after spending several years on various cruise lines, he took advantage of an opportunity to perform as well as travel around the world on Holland America’s flagship: the Rotterdam VI.  

Due to physical issues, Chad eventually was no longer able to continue dancing.  For a while, he focused on training dancers, choreographing routines, and supervising entertainers for the cruise lines and afterwards for Universal Studios Street Atmosphere before moving back to the East Coast.  

To all the people Chad made buddies with in school; met in his travels; worked with in the many shows he performed in; and made friends with throughout his life, we say Thank You!   You all provided Chad with many fond and happy memories which he cherished and frequently shared.  

We invite you to share your memories or a photo with Chad in the form of a reply.

Chad is survived by parents, Doug and Pat; a brother, Jeremy (Antoinette); nephews, Crew and Colt; beloved aunts uncles and a multitude of cherished cousins.

If you are local to Fernandina Beach, FL, there will be visitation for family and friends at the Oxley-Heard Funeral Home located at 1305 Atlantic Ave on Sat, July 5, from 3 pm - 5 pm.  

In Niagara Falls, all are welcome to gather for visitation on Saturday, July 12th, from 10-11:30 a.m., at the OTTO REDANZ FUNERAL HOME AND NIAGARA COUNTY CREMATION CARE, 2215 Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY (716-297-9007), where a prayer service will be held at 11:30 a.m., with Rev. Laura Norris-Buisch officiating.  Prayers of committal and interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Chad’s name to amfAR.org.  Chad’s family has entrusted his care to the Goodlander family.  Share condolences and memories at GOODLANDERCARES.com 

May God Bless All Here!  Doug, Pat & Jeremy Ferry

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