Michael J. Ferguson, 64, broadcast producer
Michael J. Ferguson, 64, of Ardmore, a broadcast producer, adjunct professor, and mentor to many, died Aug. 3, of stomach cancer at his family's home in Narberth.
Michael J. Ferguson, 64, of Ardmore, a broadcast producer, adjunct professor, and mentor to many, died Aug. 3, of stomach cancer at his family's home in Narberth.
He was the second oldest of eight children born in Chicago to Thomas and Frances Ferguson. "Michael was the perfect big brother to everyone in our family," his brother Steve said.
Mr. Ferguson graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School in 1969 and Villanova University in 1973, majoring in education and the classics. He earned a master's of business administration from St. Joseph's University.
Mr. Ferguson learned he had cancer in March 2015. His enthusiasm for life never waned. His only regret was that he couldn't live longer.
When told that the cancer had spread to his brain, he turned to his daughter, Emma, a nurse, and said: "All right. Is now the time to double our efforts?"
Creative and funny, Mr. Ferguson enjoyed capturing the beauty of life on his iPhone. He asked friends and even strangers to pose for pictures - up to 15 images at a time. "Anything worth doing is worth overdoing," he said, with tongue in cheek.
When cancer limited his mobility, he took pictures from his bed. Up until a week ago, he sent selfies to friends and family just to let them know he was thinking of them.
Mr. Ferguson's passion for life encompassed his work. He was a vice president and broadcast producer at MRM/McCann Princeton, a marketing and advertising agency where he produced television commercials.
While at MRM/McCann, he traveled the world with his team, searching for the most beautiful locations in which to shoot commercials. "I have the best job in the world," he told family.
In 1977, Mr. Ferguson began his career in the advertising industry as a film producer at SBK Pictures in Ardmore.
"Michael was a true gentleman and skilled communicator. He was always thoughtful, honest, fair, and calm under pressure, the perfect combination for being a great producer and a great friend," said Jeffrey Berry, an SBK coworker and longtime friend.
In the late 1990s, Mr. Ferguson joined what is now Red Tettemer O'Connell + Partners, a Center City advertising agency, and he looked back on that experience as among the most rewarding of his life.
"Mike did anything for anyone. And he did it as [intensely] as he was able," said Steve Red, the agency's cofounder.
Mr. Ferguson would have logged 40 years in the advertising business next April.
Six years ago, he began teaching an introductory marketing course at Temple University. His children joked that his classes were packed with students because "he was an easy A."
Mr. Ferguson lived every minute with heightened interest in what was to come next.
"Michael grabbed life by the tail and gave it a good shake," his family said.
Besides his daughter Emma, he is survived by daughter Grace; son Conor; his wife Beth Wimer Ferguson, from whom he was separated but with whom he remained friendly; three sisters; four brothers; and many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, in St. Margaret Church, 208 N. Narberth Ave., Narberth. Burial is private.
Donations may be made to Abramson Cancer Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Blvd., Philadelphia 19104, or through https://giving.apps.upenn.edu. The donation should be earmarked for the Gastrointestinal Cancers Program.
610-313-8102