VIVIAN A FERRIN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Welcome to the homepage for the Vivian A. Ferrin Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship was established in memory of Community Leader Vivian Albert Ferrin. In the 77 years that Mr. Ferrin lived, he left an everlasting memory with all that he touched.

 

ABOUT VIVAN A. FERRIN

September 25, 1926 - January 4, 2004

 

Vivian Ferrin was born in Jamaica, West Indies, in 1926, migrating to New York as a young man to pursue his college education. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and gaining his U.S. citizenship in 1952, Vivian and his wife of 53 years, Adrienne,  moved to Washington D.C.  Here, Vivian completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at Howard University and his Graduate Studies at George Washington University.   Following a long career with the Department of State, as head of the U. S. Passport Agency in Washington D.C., he retired in 1986 and moved to The Village of Royal Palm Beach. The Agency, still needing his expertise, enticed Mr. Ferrin to stay another three years as a consultant thus commuting between Royal Palm Beach and Washington D.C. 

 

Finally, in 1989, he became a full-time Floridian.  It wasn’t long before he began serving on the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission, the Community Revitalization Advisory Board and several community organization boards.  Perhaps Vivian is best known as one of the founding members of the Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) where he served in many capacities, including President and Chairman of the Board.  Among the numerous contributions he brought to the organization, the CAFCI Student Assistance Program, which continues today, was very important to him.  He felt it was our obligation to reach out, encourage, and assist our youth in reaching their goals.  

 

His activism led to an appointment to the Royal Palm Beach Village Council in 1998.  He successfully defended his council seat in the 1998 and again in the 1999 elections. His health forced him to step down in 2003.  The Caribbean community is very proud of this trailblazer, for he is one of the first Jamaicans to hold political office in South Florida.

 

When remembering him, these are some of the thoughts shared by those who knew him best. “Everyone loved his style, his dignity, his generosity, his caring for others and his sincere friendship.” “Vivian was the type of government official we all want to represent us — one who is truly a public servant and not a politician; a man who truly cares about his community and serves with honor and integrity, putting others before himself.” “The best way to honor him is by emulating some of his virtues in our own lives, virtues such as humility, frankness, generosity, honesty, loyalty, peacefulness, gentleness and a sincere caring for family, friends and the community.”   In May of 2006 the Village of Royal Palm Beach dedicated a park “The Vivian A. Ferrin Memorial Park” in honor his public service to the community.  The park features three softball fields and two basketball courts for the youth in our community.

It is in this spirit that the Vivian A. Ferrin Memorial Scholarship Fund was created.