Obituary of Guy Richard Ferguson
The world will be a little less without Guy Ferguson in it.
Fergie or Boom Boom when he was on the ice, passed away too soon, at the age of 74, on Sunday December 5th, 2021.
Growing up in Peterborough, Guy played sports from a young age. He became a decent hockey player and a better than average baseball player. In his later years he loved his bicycle. With his wife Simonne he cycled back roads throughout Europe on bike and barge trips, and no visit to a city was complete without a bicycle tour exploring hidden alleys. He always found time on his travels to sample some local brews and to make new friends in a pub and some of his closest international friendships were made on music cruises.
History was Guy’s other love, particularly the Civil War and WW2. He dragged his family to every Civil War site from Florida to Pennsylvania, and visited the battlefields of Normandy twice, the best trip being the last one with his like-minded buddies from the USA. His MA from Queen’s University studied the Irish settlers in Eastern Ontario, and he combined that knowledge with his love of travel when exploring Ireland and helping Simonne find her ancestors.
Guy’s was a bright, enquiring mind, and quick wit, and he was known for his one-liners. He never really settled on a hobby but he liked to tinker and fix things, most famously the toilet flush handle made from the end of a hockey stick. He could McGyver just about anything.
Although he was a fairly conservative thinker, Guy was progressive when it came to his family. He always supported his wife’s career, and before it was cool to do so, he gave up his own job not once but twice, to move the family to Alberta and then back to Kingston so she could advance to better positions. He encouraged both daughters Christy and Claire to follow their dreams and to take risks. He never lost confidence that son Michael would achieve his potential and was so proud when he found the job he loves. He was not always a patient dad, sometimes grumpy, but taught his kids to be strong and independent individuals. He was also the person they went to for advice in a crisis. Guy always knew the important thing to focus on.
He was so very proud and thrilled to welcome Grandson Billy in Australia but never got the chance to hold him.
Guy’s entire work life was focused on building, first liquor stores in Alberta, then houses, then mortgages. He was often stopped in the grocery store or on the street by a client to say thank you. People trusted Guy.
The blue jays and cardinals in the backyard are going to miss Guy’s treats. The birds had him trained to throw them peanuts when they called. And the chipmunks will be wondering where’s the man who fed them from his hands.
Guy will be loved forever by his wife Simonne, his son Michael (Leslie), his daughters Christy (Chris) and Claire (Rodney), and his grandson Billy. He leaves behind his brothers Wayne (Sylvia) and Glen (Sandy), and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be missed by many former colleagues and all of his friends around the world.
Those wishing to remember Guy could make a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or U.H.K.F. (Kingston General Hospital).
