Ronald Ferris

CANFIELD - Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Boardman-Canfield Chapel for Ronald P. Ferris, 58, who passed away Wednesday at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown.

Ron was born Nov. 10, 1956, in Monterey, Calif., a son of the late Gordon F. and Carol V. (Odom) Ferris.

Ron graduated from Annandale High School and received his BA in History with minors in Secondary Education, Coaching, and Spanish from James Madison University in Virginia. He was the owner and founder of the Ohio Gymnastics Institute.

Ron leaves his two sons, Ron (Jackie) Ferris of Boardman and David (Lisa) Ferris of Boston; granddaughter, Nina Ferris; his "better" half, Anita R. Goff of Canfield and her daughter, Morgan Cheeks, of Washington, D.C.; a sister, Beth Ferris of Manassas, Va.; a brother, Gordon D. Ferris of Lakewood, Colo.; and a large extended family.

Ron was also preceded in death by his brother, Mark Ferris.

As big brother, high school football quarterback, college gymnastics team captain, gymnastics coach, father, husband, friend, boss, gym owner and grandfather, he had led, impacted, and mentored thousands of lives, some in ways we will never know.

Ron took great pride in seeing former students grow and return as parents and coaches to the gym, and pursue their dreams. While Ron liked fast cars and coins (and would discuss them at any time with anyone who made eye contact), he loved his family fiercely and they knew it every day by his actions (words were not necessary).

Family and friends may pay their respects on Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the funeral home.

"Get some rest, bud."

In lieu of flowers, material tributes may take the form of donations to The Paula and Anthony Rich Center for Autism, 1 University Plaza, Youngstown, OH 44555 or www.richcenter.org.