Eugene “Gene” Ferrick Jr. passed peacefully the evening of January 21, 2016, surrounded by his loving wife of 55 years Lynn; his children Gene and Joann, Kevin and Elizabeth, Mary Lynn and Sean Sharp, Beth and Steve O”Connell, and Colleen and Dave Becker; and a number of his grandchildren. Everyone that knew Gene will remember him as a caring and holy man who deeply loved his wife; children; 13 grandchildren, and great granddaughter. His generous spirit and devotion to life will continue through his family and all those he has touched. Gene also gave nearly forty years in service to the US Government, retiring as Director of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite Systems Division, Office of Space Tracking and Data Systems, NASA Headquarters. The family invites relatives and friends to join them in celebrating Gene”s life from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2016, at Collins Funeral Home (valet parking), 500 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring, MD 20901 and at a Mass of Christian burial at the Shrine of St. Jude, 12701 Veirs Mill Road, Rockville, MD 20853 at 11 a.m. on January 29, 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Gene”s name be made to St. Jude Regional Catholic School, 4820 Walbridge St., Rockville, MD 20853.