07/24/2026
Fr. Jim Ferry, a retired priest from the Diocese of Fall River who has lived in Claremore for the past ten years passed away early this morning. Fr. Jim assisted with Mass at St. Cecilia and also St. Ann in Welch. He served for decades in Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton has passed away July 24, 2026.
According to the Diocese of Fall River, Father Ferry grew up in Swansea and graduated from Bristol County Agricultural High School. He studied for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton and was ordained a priest on June 16, 1984, by Bishop Daniel Cronin. He began his priestly ministry as a parochial vicar at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in New Bedford. While there, he participated in a culture and humanities study program at the Catholic University of Portugal in Lisbon. He was next assigned as a parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Taunton and also served for a few months as its temporary administrator.
In 1995, he became parochial vicar at Espirito Santo Parish in Fall River and one year later was named pastor there. He served that parish community for 18 years. While pastor there he was also named parochial administrator of the neighboring parish of Our Lady of Health and guided the joining of that parish with Espirito Santo in 2006. Father Ferry retired in 2014.
The funeral arrangements are as follows:
Tuesday, July 28, 2026
3:00 PM- Reception of the Body
6:00 PM- Rosary
7:00 PM Funeral Mass celebrated by Bishop David Konderla
St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Claremore
Following the funeral his body will return to his home diocese for burial.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul of the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
