John D. Ferriera Jr., 84,

Was Veteran, Carpenter

John D. Ferriera Jr. of County Road in Oak Bluffs died at the Royal Nursing Center in Falmouth after a brief illness on May 24, one day shy of his 85th birthday. He was 84.

John was the husband of Rita Brilhante Ferriera. He was a lifelong Island resident, born in Oak Bluffs on May 25, 1923, the son of John Ferriera Sr. and Mary Silva Ferriera.

John left the Island to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II and received the Purple Heart for injuries received in battle.

Prior to his leaving to serve his country, John worked with his father as a gardener and landscaper. He then worked in a relief program with the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Depression by planting trees in the place to be known as the Manuel Corellus State Forest. Upon returning from the war, he was a forest ranger on the West Coast for a period of time before returning to the Vineyard.

John was a carpenter and worked for Ted Henley, Wilfred Lawrence and others before working for himself. He would later be known as the screen-repair man on the Island.

Mr. Ferriera was a member and past commander of the American Legion. He was a people person and quite the conversationalist.

Survivors include his wife, many nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family.

His parents and his sisters, Margaret Valenti, Rose Leite, Hilda Marshall and Harriet Ferriera, all predeceased him.

His memorial Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Massasoit avenue, Oak Bluffs on Saturday, June 21 at 11 a.m. Burial of his cremains will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineyard avenue, Oak Bluffs with military honors provided by the veterans of Martha’s Vineyard.

Donations in John’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, Inc., 712 Main street, Hyannis MA 02601.