Robert “Bob” Ferry, the former general manager of the Washington Bullets (later renamed the Wizards), who while serving in that role guided the franchise to the team’s only NBA championship title in 1978, was remembered during a Mass of Christian Burial for his devotion to his family, friends and community, as well as for his decades-long storied career surrounding professional basketball. Ferry died of natural causes on Oct. 27 at the age of 84.

“There is sadness everywhere, but at the same time there is hope because we believe Bob is with the Lord and Savior whom he knew, trusted and loved,” said Trinitarian Father Damian Anuszewski, a theology faculty member at DeMatha Catholic High School, in his homily during the Nov. 5 funeral Mass celebrated at St. Andrew by the Bay Parish in Annapolis, Maryland. “We thank God for the gift of Bob in our lives for 84 years as he returns to his Savior and Lord.”

Ferry, whose two sons, Bob Jr. and Danny, attended DeMatha and became standout basketball players there in the late 1970s and in the early to mid-1980s, remained a longtime supporter of the Hyattsville all-boys Catholic high school. Just prior to his death, Ferry and his wife, Rita, established a scholarship fund at DeMatha for students in need of financial aid.

“The greatest gifts Mr. Ferry gave DeMatha were the gifts of his sons, Bobby and Danny, both of whom represent the best of family life and represent the best of DeMatha life,” Trinitarian Father James Day, DeMatha’s president, told the Catholic Standard. “He and his wife were always supportive of the Catholic identity of the school and that continued forever. One of his last gestures was a philanthropic one.”

Ferry’s younger son, Danny, played college basketball at Duke University and professionally in the NBA for 13 years. He later served as general manager of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks.

In a eulogy, Danny Ferry described his late father as an “incredible dad and an incredible friend,” who spent his final time reaching out to those he had known throughout his life because, as his son said, “He knew the end was near.”

“He was a people person because he loved people. He loved all of you,” Danny Ferry told the congregation. “...He had an incredible life and the best part of it was all of us for him.”

Born May 31, 1937 in St. Louis, Bob Ferry was the oldest of four children. As a youngster he was athletically gifted, playing football, soccer and baseball, but he became singularly focused on basketball after a significant growth spurt in high school. He graduated from St. Louis University, where he played basketball and was named a third-team All-American player by press outlets.

At 6-foot-8, Ferry was chosen by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1959 NBA draft. He went on to play 10 years in the league for the Detroit Pistons and later the Baltimore Bullets. He often went up against early NBA stars such as Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. An injury ended Ferry’s basketball-playing career, but jumpstarted his front office career in the sport. He served as a scout and assistant coach for the Bullets before his promotion to the team’s general manager in 1973.

As general manager of the Washington Bullets, Ferry hired coaches and drafted key players and future members of the Basketball Hall of Fame, such as Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes and Bob Dandridge, whose teams throughout the 1970s were the most successful in the franchise’s history, even to this day.  Under his leadership, Ferry’s teams made the playoffs in 13 of 17 seasons, reaching the NBA Finals three times and winning the NBA championship in 1978 when the Bullets beat the Seattle Supersonics in a seven-game series. Ferry resigned as the team’s general manager in 1990.  He went on to work as a NBC basketball commentator, and while his son Danny was general manager for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the elder Ferry served as a team scout, a job he also later held with the Atlanta Hawks, and in recent years, with the Brooklyn Nets.

Ferry’s daughter, Laura, also spoke lovingly of her late father in a eulogy, recalling his well-known sense of humor and how he passed on wisdom and valuable life lessons to his three children and eight grandchildren.

Laughter, forgiveness, family and personal relationships, she said, were the mainstays of his life.

“Show up...Dad believed in showing up for your team, your family and friends and community. He would show up when he didn’t always feel up to it and especially in a time of need,” she said.

“The work is the joy...Hard work and commitment – that is what makes you happiest,” she said, recalling another of her dad’s life mottos. “...(My dad) embraced the journey. He loved seeing people grow and thrive and he loved being a part of it.”

Ferry and his wife, Rita, were parishioners of St. Andrew by the Bay Parish. He was a previous resident of Bowie, Maryland, before moving to Annapolis. Ferry was also a longtime supporter of the Boys and Girls Club of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, and the Greater Annapolis Y in Arnold, Maryland. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Rita Ferry; by their sons, Robert Jr. and Dan, by their daughter, Laura; and by eight grandchildren; two brothers and one sister.