Joseph (Joe) D. Ferra, 62, died September 4 at the Sussman House in Rockport surrounded by his family. Joe was born December 30, 1955 in Cleveland, Ohio, to Joseph Ferra and Elizabeth Kapudja Ferra. Joe grew up in Ohio and graduated from Jefferson High School in the class of 1974. He was a talented baseball pitcher during high school and was scouted by minor league baseball teams.

Shortly after graduation, Joe went on to enlist in the United States Coast Guard. Throughout his long military career, Joe demonstrated his natural leadership ability during his many tours of duty, achieving the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

Joe and his wife, Sue, relocated with their children to many duty stations throughout the United States, with his favorites being Puerto Rico and Hawaii, before settling in 1992 for Joe’s final duty on the White Lupine in Rockland, Maine.

Upon retirement from the military in 1996, Joe continued his dedication to ocean safety by obtaining his Masters License for 100 Ton Sea Vessels and became the Ferry Captain for Mohegan Boat Lines in Port Clyde for a short time. Joe continued his committed work in public safety and went on to serve for more than 12 years as a Corrections Officer for the Maine State Prison System before officially retiring in 2011.

A devoted family man, Joe volunteered locally as a baseball umpire and pee-wee soccer coach for the St.George Recreational Department, supporting his daughter’s activities. When his wife, Sue, went back to school to pursue a career in nursing, Joe took on the care-taking roles of the home. He was a provider, protector, and supporter for his family, with a spirited sense of humor. He was predeceased by his parents, and by a daughter, Maggie Ferra.

He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Sue Ferra, of St. George; daughters Samantha Winston and her husband, Matt, of Hope, and Rebecca Ferra and her companion, Ben Pascucci, of Bedford, N.H.; sisters Darlene Easton and her husband, Lawrence, of Ohio and Debi Sines, of Ohio; rothers Scott Ferra, of Ohio, and Denny and his wife Karen, of Arkansas; and several nieces, nephews and cousins

A service to celebrate Joe’s life will be held October 13th at 2 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 345 Broadway Street, Rockland,Me. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catholic Charities Maine, P.O. Box 10660,Portland,ME 04104-6060 or Sussman House, 40 Anchor Drive,Rockport 04856.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home, 78 Main Street, Thomaston, ME.