Mr. James F. Ferdenzi, 65, of Holliston, MA died Monday, July 18, 2022, at the MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, MA after a period of declining health following a stroke. For 38 years, he was the beloved husband of Mary-Caryl (Shannahan) Ferdenzi, having shared 45 years together as a couple.
Jimmy was born in Springfield, MA, the son of the late Edward J. and the late Rose Marie (Thomas) Ferdenzi. He attended Holliston public schools, graduating from Holliston High School in 1975 as the Senior Class President, where he played varsity basketball and was honored to be named a participant at Student Government Day at the Massachusetts State House. Jimmy then went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree from Bentley College in Waltham, MA, with a major in Business Management.
Jimmy’s professional career was based in manufacturing sales, with a concentration in precision gears and mechanical components. Over the course of his career, he worked for various companies within the field, and retired as a Vice President of Sales overseeing both national and international accounts.
A resident of Holliston, MA since childhood, Jimmy was pleased to raise his own family in the town in which he grew up. He was a longtime communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Holliston, MA, where he had served as an altar boy.
Jimmy worked as a basketball coach at Holliston High School and later at the former Marian High School in Framingham, MA. As his children entered Holliston Youth Basketball, Jimmy volunteered as a coach for both his daughter’s and sons’ teams.
An avid sports fan of all of Boston’s teams, Jimmy especially loved the New England Patriots where he was a season ticket holder for many years. He was also a football season ticket holder at Boston College where he enjoyed hosting tailgate parties for his family and friends. Jimmy loved boating, working in his yard, listening to music, and watching movies. However, Jimmy’s happiest moments were the cherished times spent with his beloved family members, especially his three granddaughters who adored their loving and funny “Papa”.
In addition to his beloved wife he is survived by his daughter, Kristina F. Dello-Iacono and her husband, Scott, of Holliston, MA, his twin sons, James E. Ferdenzi of Boston, MA and Daniel J. Ferdenzi and his wife, Sarah, of Boston, MA, his three granddaughters, Adriana Rose Dello-Iacono, Olivia Frances Dello-Iacono and Daniella Mary Dello-Iacono, all of Holliston, MA, his four siblings, Thomas Ferdenzi and his wife, Cynthia, of Barrington, RI, Michael Ferdenzi and his wife, Lisa, of Wrentham, MA, Katherine Borsari and her husband, Robert, of Dennis, MA and John Ferdenzi and his husband, Ricardo Enriquez, of Los Angeles, CA.
Jimmy is also survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lorraine Wenger of Amherst, NH, John Shannahan and his wife, Suzanne, of Holliston, MA, Megan Hovsepian and her husband, Ronald, of Holliston, MA and James Shannahan and his wife, Ellen, of Milford, MA. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends, who all loved Jimmy dearly.
Jimmy was predeceased by his father and mother-in-law, John M. and Helen (Doherty) Shannahan, his brother-in-law, Paul H. Wenger, his nephew, Paul S. Wenger, and his cousins, Brian Murphy and Nanci Murphy.
Relatives and family friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on FRIDAY, AUGUST 5th at 11am at St. Mary’s Church, 708 Washington Street (Rte. 16), Holliston, MA. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Holliston, MA. There are no visiting hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial donations be made to: The "Jimmy" Fund, c/o The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford, MA. Please visit www.edwardsmemorialfuneralhome.com for complete obituary and condolence book.
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