Costa Mesa Sanitary District mourns passing of former director Jim Ferryman, 78
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Jim Ferryman, a longtime Costa Mesa resident who served for decades in numerous civic positions — from sanitary board member to school district trustee to an organizer of the city’s annual fish fry — died Sept. 5 at age 78.
Costa Mesa Sanitary District officials announced the news last week, recognizing highlights of his 32-year tenure, including implementing the region’s first organic recycling program and overseeing the transition from manual to automated curbside collection.
“Jim Ferryman’s decades of public service, community involvement and dedication to making Costa Mesa a better place will be remembered and deeply missed by [CMSD,] his fellow community members and the many people whose lives he touched,” officials said in a Sept. 8 news release.
In addition to leading the special district, Ferryman served on the board for the county’s sanitation district for 24 years and was a volunteer with the Costa-Mesa Newport Harbor Lions Club for more than four decades.
In that capacity, he not only organized the Costa Mesa Fish Fry but also served as coordinator and director of its legendary in-town parade, when not manning the fry station himself.
A graduate of Costa Mesa High School, Ferryman played on the football team and went on to play at San Jose State University. He later joined Newport-Mesa Unified School District as a trustee in 1996 and remained even after some called on him to step down in the wake of a 2001 DUI, continuing to serve until 2004.
“Jim gave his heart and soul to the community because he truly believed Costa Mesa is the best place to work, live and play,” CMSD Board President Mike Scheafer said in a statement.
“His dedication to Costa Mesa and the surrounding community was evident in everything he did, and his legacy of service will continue to have an impact for many years to come.”
