Obituary of Dudley M. Ferguson

Dudley M. Ferguson, 77 of Gloversville, passed away Monday August 1, 2011. A well respected attorney and community leader, Dudley had made Gloversville his home for many years. Born May 2, 1934 in Columbus Ohio, he was a son of the late Wilbur and Winona Medaugh Ferguson. A 1952 graduate of Rocky River Ohio High School, he continued his education at Ohio Wesleyan University where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1956. In 1959, Dudley received a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Michigan Law School. He relocated to Gloversville shortly thereafter and had a distinguished career practicing law in Gloversville. From 1960-1962, Dudley was Chairman of the Fulton County Citizens Committee to locate a Community College in Fulton County. He served as President, Director and Vice President of the Board of Trustees of the Gloversville Y.M.C.A. and member of the National Council of the Y.M.C.A. from 1973-1979. Dudley was a member of the Fulton County Development Corporation, member and past President of the Gloversville Lions Club and Pine Brook Country Club. He was an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church and a Trustee of the North Main Street United Methodist Church. His community activities also included founding Director of the Ambulance Service of Fulton County, Recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from Gloversville Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1966, City Attorney 1963-1967, Attorney of the Village of Broadalbin, Village of Northville, Northville Central School District, and Gloversville-Johnstown Joint Sewer Board from 1964-1997.Dudley was a Trustee and past President of the Board of Trustees of the Gloversville Free Library, Director of the Salvation Army and a member of the College Council of the State University at Oneonta from 1969-1979. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Fulton Montgomery Community College from 1981-1990 and Chairman from 1987-1988. He also was a member of the Eccentric Club since 1961 serving as president 1992-1993, and a Director, Treasurer and President of Mountain Valley Hospice. He also was a member of the Fulton County Bar Association, serving as President in 1978 and chairman and member of several committees. Dudley's professional associations also included New State Bar Association, Vice President and Executive Committee member 1987-1990, Executive Committee of the Real Property Law Section from 1979-1984, House of Delegates member 1984-1990 and 1992-1993. He was also a Nominating Committee member from 1989-1995 and a member of the Committee on Title and Transfer of Real Property Law Section. He was a member of the Third Department Judicial Commission, Secretary, Treasurer and member of Executive Committee Fulton County Republican Committee, Secretary , Treasurer of the Republican Fourth Judicial Committee and Convener of Republican Fourth Judicial District Judicial Convention from 1977-2002. He had been an elected Delegate or Alternate Delegate to the Republican Fourth Judicial District Committee for over 25 years. Dudley is survived by his wife, Suzanne "Nan" Haviland Ferguson of Gloversville, whom he married June 22, 1957. He is also survived by his children: R. Edward Ferguson Teri of Holmdel, N.J., David H. Ferguson Cathy of Methuen, MA. and Andrew R. Ferguson Amy of Framingham, MA. Additional survivors include his sister Susan Endean Frank of Edinboro, PA. and grandchildren; Ryan Ferguson and Abbey Ferguson. A memorial service will be held 11 am Friday August 5, 2011 at the First Presbyterian Church of Gloversville, 16 W. Fulton St. Gloversville. The family will receive friends for memorial visitation on Thursday from 4-7 pm at Kobuskie-Konik Funeral Home, 51 Fremont St. Gloversville. Urn burial will be private and at the convenience of his family. Expression of sympathy in his memory may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave. Gloversville. N.Y. 12078 or to the Gloversville Free Library, 58 E. Fulton St. Gloversville, N.Y. 12078.