Brig. Gen. Henry J. McFerran Jr.

Brigadier General (Ret) Henry J. "Hank" McFerran, Jr. Albany County COLONIE-Brigadier General (Ret) Henry J. "Hank" McFerran, answered the call of Heaven's bugle on Tuesday, August 6th, from home, after a courageous battle with cancer. The cancer claimed his body but never his zest for life. The General graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1955 where he won honors as a champion marksman in 1954 and 1955. In 1986 he was inducted into the C.B.A. Hall of Fame. The General was a graduate of Siena College where he again won honors as a champion marksman in 1956 and 1957. General McFerran began his military career in 1959 as an enlisted soldier with the 210th Armor Battalion. He was promoted to Sergeant and became a tank commander. He attended the Empire State Military Academy and received his Commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1963. Upon his return to the 210th Armor Battalion he served as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Battalion Adjutant. Henry then attended the Infantry Officer’s Advanced Course and Airborne School, in Ft. Benning, GA earning his Airborne (parachutist) wings. Upon graduating the US Army Special Warfare School in Ft. Bragg, NC Henry earned the coveted Green Beret of a US Army Special Forces. He also completed Jumpmaster training (Ft. Lee, VA), and earned his Master Parachutist wings after logging hundreds of jumps (static-line and free-fall) serving with the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne) headquartered in Utah. The General’s assignments included the 1069th training Battalion, instructing on subjects ranging from radios to explosives. The General's last military unit was the NYS Selective Service Headquarters Detachment where he served as the executive officer and was then tapped to take command of the unit. Due to his efforts, diligence, excellence and dedication to military service at the federal and state level, he was the recipient of numerous awards including: Jumpmaster wings (Master Parachutist Badge), Special Forces Qualification tab, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Joint Service Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Selective Service Distinguished Service Medal, Selective Service Exceptional Service Medal, Selective Service Meritorious Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, New York State Faithful Service Medal, New York Army National Guard Medal. General McFerran also served the citizens of New York for 36 years in his civilian capacity with the NYS Health Department. In addition to his distinguished military career, he served as Troop Leader for Boy Scout Troop #90, President of the Colonie Pop-Warner Football League and coach for Our Lady of Mercy Little League Baseball. The General was an avid marksman and scuba diver enjoying both activities to the fullest with his wife Diana, and their dear friend, Rockland Spencer on the Island of Curacao. While in the Caribbean nation the General was a member of the DeQuinta gun club and rifle team and two other rifle teams including the Trigger rifle team. He is survived by his bride of 52 years Diana Finn- McFerran, their two sons; Henry James McFerran III of Schenectady, NY and Sean Francis McFerran of Selkirk, NY. A brother, J. Benjamin (Judith) McFerran of Slingerlands, NY. Two sisters; Millicent (George) Zibell of Ballston Spa, NY, and Marbeth Shay, and his very dear friend, Rockland Spencer of Curacao as well as many nieces and nephews. The General and his family extend their sincere thanks for the professional and caring attitudes exhibited by the entire staff of St. Peter's Oncology Center and the Community Hospice of Albany County. Funeral services will be held Monday at the McVeigh funeral Home, 208 N. Allen St., Albany, at 8:45 AM thence to Christ our Light Church at 9:30 AM where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home Sunday from 4-7pm. Interment will follow the Mass at Memory Gardens with full military honors.

Tributes

Brig. Gen. Henry J. McFerran Jr.

November 16, 1936 - August 6, 2013