Died January 28, 2021.

Dunham Elementary School, Tucson, AZ

Third Grade

Obituary:

On January 28, 2021, Bruce Robert Ferko passed away at Tucson Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona of complications from COVID-19; he was 64 years old. He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Robertson Ferko and his father, George Clarence Ferko, both of Titusville, PA. He is survived by his adorable Scottish Terriers, Holly and Tartan, who are missing him dearly but adjusting to their new home with Bruce’s best friend.

Bruce was born on September 21, 1956 in Kenmore, New York. He attended North Tonawanda High School, where he loved and actively participated in the school’s drama program and varsity swim team. He was a top-ranked swimmer in The Buffalo, NY area and was always a great asset to his team. Following in his Mother’s footsteps, Bruce pursued a career as an Educator, touching the lives of hundreds of elementary school students in Pinellas County, Florida, in the Dallas area and finally in Tucson. After being nominated seven times for Teacher of the Year in Dallas, Bruce received this distinction at the San Jacinto Elementary School in 2011. Many of his classes received the “Star of Distinction” designation for their high performances in standardized testing. In December 2019, Bruce moved to Tucson and was teaching third grade at Dunham Elementary School.

Bruce attended Thiel College and graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Elementary Education and was a distinguished member of the Phi Delta Kappa Educational Honor Society. He then received his Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist from the University of New York at Buffalo. In 2003, he earned a second Master’s Degree in Elementary Education with emphasis in ESL Education from Texas A&M Commerce. At the time of his passing, Bruce was enrolled at A&M taking courses toward the completion of his Doctorate Degree Bruce had a very strong faith and was an active member at Central Lutheran Church in Dallas. During his time there, he assisted with creating the curriculum and teaching at the Vacation Bible School each summer. He also instituted and oversaw the annual “Back to School Bash” which provided backpacks and school supplies to more than 250 needy children in the community. Additionally, Bruce created and supervised the “Kids Club” which provided after school tutoring to students in the local community. After his move to Tucson, he became a member of Tanque Verde Lutheran Church. In addition to his lifelong love of learning and educating others, Bruce was a dog lover and he co-founded Scottie Kingdom Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue organization dedicated to caring for and finding forever homes for Scottish Terriers throughout Northern Texas and Oklahoma. He was a passionate performer in theater and chorale groups, performing with the Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas for over 20 years and most recently as a member of the Reveille Men’s Chorus in Tucson. Bruce was also an avid bowler and participated in numerous bowling leagues in Dallas. He was easily identified by his Green Bay Packers bowling ball and bag, which was just one outward indicator of his fanatical love of the Packers. An online Celebration of Life for Bruce is being planned and details will be posted on this site as they evolve. During this celebration, it is hoped that attendees will share their memories and funny stories of Bruce. His wishes are to have his ashes scattered, half at his parent’s gravesites in Canada and the other half in Scotland. In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations can be made to Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas: https://turtlecreekchorale.secure.force.com/donate.