Obituary of Dr. Roger August Ferrec

Milford, PA

Roger August Ferrec DDS, 100 years old of Belle Reve Senior Living in Milford, PA entered into rest August 15, 2024. Born March 31,1924 in Rochefort-en-Yvelines, France, Roger immigrated to the USA at the age of 9 residing in Cranford, NJ. Roger was a WWII Veteran having served in the US Army during 1942-1946 where he experienced Normandy and was stationed in New Guinea, the Philippines and New Orleans.  After returning from active duty, he went into business with his father running a foundry.

He married the love of his life, Ruth Beaghen on April 21, 1951 in Elizabeth, NJ and they were married for 42 years until Ruth’s death.  After starting a family, Roger made a bold decision to change careers becoming a dental technician.  With the encouragement and support of his wife and family, he entered FDU dental school at the age of 32 in 1956.  Upon graduation, he opened his dental practice in Ramsey, NJ in 1963 and continued practicing pediatric dentistry until retirement in 1986.

Roger loved being a part of the Rotary Club serving as President in two different clubs and earning the Paul Harris award. He was a long-time member of the United Methodist Church.

Roger never took his citizenship in America for granted.  He would tell people, “This is the greatest country in the world.  Where else could a man like me have the opportunity to become a dentist and live the life I have.”  Roger was a devoted husband and loved his family greatly. He also enjoyed hobbies of pitching horseshoes, bowling, and golf.  

When he sold his dental practice in 1986, he retired to Florida where he and Ruth cared for his father Frank, step mother Mamie, his Uncle Sam and Aunt Anne. After Ruth’s death, Roger married Melba Riegsecker on December 30, 1993 in Nokomis, Florida and they were married for 29 years until her death.

Roger is survived by his daughter Leslie (Gordon) Pedersen, son Roger Lee (Dawn) Ferrec, step-daughter Jo Ann (Sam) Brown, step-son Jim (Jennifer) Riegsecker, step-daughter-in-law Sue (Jack) Myers, grandchildren Karalyn (Steve) Hamel, Kenny (Lindsay) Pedersen, Rob (Katie) Pedersen, Alex (Margaret) Ferrec, Sam (Mackenzie) Ferrec, 4 step-grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and 8 step-great grandchildren.  The family wants to extend their sincere gratitude to the wonderful staff at Belle Reve Senior Living in Milford, PA for their loving care of Roger.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Lafayette Federated Church located at 180 Route 15, Lafayette, NJ on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at 3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to either Victory Hill Therapeutic Horsemanship https://victoryhillth.org/donate/ or Families of War Veterans https://familiesofwarveterans.org/donate/.   Victory Hill helps veterans, active military and first responders heal from moral, emotional or physical injuries through building healthy relationships with horses.  Families of War Veterans assists local Hudson Valley military families in times of financial distress by directly paying utility bills, vehicle repairs, child care, or other expenses that will alleviate immediate stress during difficult times. 

Funeral arrangements are honorably entrusted to Zygmunt-Murtie Funeral and Cremation Service - 845-477-8240 or visit www.zmmemorials.com.