Temple Professor, Villanova and SJU Grad, Broadcast Producer, Dies At 64

Obituary courtesy Stretch Funeral Home

LOWER MERION, PA -- Michael J. Ferguson, 64, of Ardmore, a broadcast producer, adjunct professor, mentor to many and friend to all, died of stomach cancer on August 3 at his family’s home in Narberth.

He will be remembered by his children Emma Ferguson of Philadelphia, PA; Grace Ferguson of Washington, DC; and Conor Ferguson of Brooklyn, NY; his former wife and loving friend Beth Wimer Ferguson, his siblings Mary Frances O’Loughlin (Michael) of San Francisco, CA; Stephen Ferguson (Mimi) of Fairfield, CT; Thomas Ferguson (Karen) of Narberth, PA; Maureen McCadden (Kurt) of Malvern, PA; KateRapine (James) of King of Prussia, PA; Robert Ferguson of Ardmore, PA; and Harry Ferguson (Kimberly) of Philadelphia, PA.; and many loving nieces and nephews.

“Michael was the perfect big brother to everyone in our family. He will live forever in our hearts” said his brother Steve.

Born in Chicago, he was the second oldest of eight born to Thomas and Frances Ferguson. He graduated from St. Joseph’s Prep in 1969 and Villanova University in 1973 where he majored in Education and Classics.

He earned his MBA from St. Joseph’s University. Mike was a fighter until the very end. When told that his cancer had spread to his brain, he turned to his daughter Emma, a nurse who had been by his side throughout his battle and said, “Alright. Is now the time to double our efforts?”

His enthusiasm for life was contagious. His only regret was that he couldn’t live longer. Mike loved capturing the beauty of life. He was known for taking pictures with his iPhone and would make his friends and even strangers pose for pictures – not one or two, but often times up to fifteen – at one time.

“Anything worth doing is worth over doing,” Mike would say. Even after cancer limited his mobility, he was still taking pictures from his bed.

In recent years Mike would often send selfies to his friends and family just to let them know that he was thinking of them. Mike’s passion for life extended to 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 extensively with his team – always searching for the most beautiful locations to shoot commercials. “I have the best job in the world,” Mike would often say.

In 1977 Mike began his career in the advertising industry as a Film Producer at SBK Pictures. “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, former co-worker and lifelong friend.

Mike also reflected on his time in the late 90’s working at Red Tettemer as some of the most rewarding years of his life. “[Mike] did anything for anyone. And he did it as hard as he was able,” said Steve Red, Co-Founder of Red Tettemer.

In April of 2017 Mike would have worked 40 years in the advertising industry. Six years ago, Mike began teaching an introductory level marketing course at Temple University. His children would often joke with him that his classes reached capacity because he was an easy “A.”

Grades didn’t matter as much to Michael as the experience his students had, and the skills he was able to teach them. Always a pragmatist, he would sign every email with the simple yet succinct phrase, “Let reality be reality.”

While it’s hard for his friends and family to accept the reality of life without Mike, it is less painful when we remember how he lived every minute with heightened interest in what was to come next. Emerson put it well – “it’s not the length of life, but the depth of life.”

Michael grabbed life by the tail and gave it a good shake. In lieu of flowers please visit giving.apps.upenn.edu and make a donation in support of the Gastrointestinal Cancers Program.

This donation will be put to use by the Abramson Cancer Center at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania 3400 Civic Center Blvd Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, where Mike received the best treatment and care.