Robert A. “Barney” Fergus

Barney was born Sept. 23, 1923, in Erie, Pa. He was the son of the late Paul H. Fergus and the late Mary and George Benson.

He graduated from Oil City High School, Oil City, Pa., class of 1941. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1944-46, in the Pacific Theater. After his Navy discharge, he married Marjorie Montgomery on Nov. 27, 1946. The couple was married 69 years at the time of her death on April 26, 2016.

Barney graduated in March of 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Tri-State College in Angola, Ind. He began his career with General Electric in Erie, Pa., in the apprentice program and retired Jan. 1, 1985, after a 42-year career there in the locomotive division.

Barney was a scout master in Findley Lake for 13 years, an Explorer advisor for four years and served on the Chautauqua County Boy Scout Council for several years. He completed the Wood Badge course in 1958 and subsequently served on staff for a total of 14 Wood Badge courses, where scout masters were trained. In 1965, the Chautauqua County Boy Scout Council presented Barney with the “Silver Beaver Award,” the highest award given by the Chautauqua County Council.

In the summer of 2006, Barney moved to North East, Pa., and continued serving the local Boy Scout troop. He was a member of the Chautauqua County Girl Scout Council Board for many years. Barney was elected to the Clymer Central School District Board of Education from 1965-85, serving as president for 13 years. In 2015, Barney was inducted into the Clymer Central School District Wall of Fame for his service to education, community and family.

Barney was a member of the Sherman Community Church, where he gave his time and expertise on the trustees, deacons, and stewardship committees. He was a Sunday school teacher for several years and filled in occasionally as a guest preacher. He was a 65-year member of the Olive Lodge 575 F&AM in Sherman, N.Y., where he was a Third Degree Mason and past paster.

Barney is survived by his children: Bonita (Peter) Crichton of Conesus, N.Y., and R. Benson (Sharon) Fergus of Ashburn, Va.; grandchildren: Emily D.C. (Ross) O’Hara of Royal Oak, Mich., Kelly (Matthew) Jackson of North Brook, Ill., and Kristen (Mark) Van Stee of Grand Rapids, Mich.; great- grandchildren: Abigail Jackson, Aleigha, Anneka, and Kade Van Stee; Norwegian AFS daughter, Betzy Dahl Naper; and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Tuttle of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Friends may call Monday from 9:30-11 a.m., at the Findley Lake United Methodist Church, 2862 North Road, Findley Lake, N.Y., where funeral services will follow at 11 a.m., with the Rev. David Cooke officiating. Burial will be in Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, Pa.

Memorial contributions may be made to Brevillier Village, 5416 E. Lake Road, Erie, PA 16511 or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by SPITZER Funeral Home, 8728 E. Main St. Sherman, N.Y.