Dennis D. Ferris, age 78, of New York City passed away on December 17, 2025. His
wife was with him in the hospital as he succumbed to an infection.
Dennis (Denny to his family) grew up in Holland, Michigan where he graduated from
Holland High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Architecture from
the University of Michigan. Then in 1980 he moved to New York City where he earned a
Master of Science in Urban Planning from Columbia University (1985). There he taught
a course “Legislating Aesthetics” and later became principal in the firm Kwartler and
Ferris. Then in 1993 he became Queens Borough Director of the New York City
Department of City Planning until he retired.
Dennis will be remembered for his love of animals, especially cats, his idiosyncratic sense of humor, his love of Head Lake and
family, and his indomitable spirit in the face of obstacles and pain.
Dennis was preceded in death his by his mother Genevieve Erway Ferris and his father
Dwight D. Ferris. He is survived by his wife Deanna Gates, his brother Gary (Sue)
Ferris and his sister Fran (Bob) Hamilton along with a niece Rachael Hamilton,
nephews Kendrick Ferris and Nathan (Jackie) Hamilton and many cousins and in-laws
around the country who loved him.
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