Eugene P. Ferguson

Gene Ferguson of Danbury, Wilton, and Detroit Lakes Minnesota passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by his loving family: his wife, Ann, and his two children, Colin and Brit.

Gene was born in Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late Eugene and Ann Ferguson. He spent much of his childhood in Douglaston, NY, alongside his sister, Maureen, and attended St. Mary’s High School. He went on to Manhattan College, where he developed a lifelong love for sports and enjoyed the vibrant life of the Bronx.

Following graduation, Gene began a successful career at IBM. It was there that he met the love of his life, fellow "IBM-er" Annie, while she was visiting from the Minneapolis office. It was love at first sight under a New York City disco ball, leading Gene to famously profess his love on a billboard in Times Square. They were married in Bismarck, ND, in 1981. For the next 45 years, they never stopped dancing in the kitchen.

Gene’s professional journey took him to Wall Street, where he held positions at Salomon Brothers, Forstmann-Leff, and AIG. Eventually, he traded the New York City commute for a role closer to home at Commonfund in Wilton.

Despite his professional success, work was only a small part of Gene’s life. His greatest joy was his children, Colin and Brit. Whether playing basketball in the driveway, coaching their teams, racing home from the city to share dinner and help with homework, or rooting for them from the sidelines, Gene was the ultimate father.

When he wasn’t in Connecticut or New York, Gene was at his favorite place in the world: the family summer home in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. There, he was most often found on the shores of Lake Sallie, lost in a good book, chatting with family, and enjoying a cold beer or a fine glass of Cabernet while watching the sun set. It was truly his and Annie’s home away from home.

Gene was also deeply committed to service. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, served on the board of Manhattan College’s O’Malley School of Business, and volunteered at the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen in Danbury. He also served as the "at-home coach and referee" for the New York Giants—a role he took very seriously, as no game was complete without Gene calling the shots.

Gene will be profoundly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Ann; his son, Colin Ferguson, and his wife Kaitlin O’Connell and their son Oscar (New York, NY); and his daughter, Brit Ferguson, and her husband Eric Boskey (Jersey City, NJ). He is also survived by his beloved sister, Maureen Ferguson, as well as many cherished sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM in Our Lady of Fatima; 229 Danbury Rd, Wilton CT.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gene's memory to Manhattan University's O'Malley School of Business. Checks can be sent to: Development Office, 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10471 (In Memory of Eugene Ferguson '68, OMSB Fund). Online gifts can be made at the following link: connect.manhattan.edu/giving by selecting "Memorial Gifts" and including "In Memory of Eugene Ferguson '68, OMSB Fund" in the comment box.

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