Sy Ferdman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away peacefully at age 87, surrounded by family on June 27, 2025. Sy was an only child of immigrant parents Morris and Ana. Born in the Bronx and raised in Brooklyn his love of learning, music, and adventure first took root. His fondness for stamp and coin collecting sent him riding the NYC subway alone at the age of 8—curious, brave, and full of wonder.

Proud graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School with bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from the Brooklyn Polytechnic and an MBA from UCLA in ‘68, Sy valued education and growth. He was a yearbook editor, played in marching band, and even spent a summer performing in the Catskills—soaking up life and rhythm in equal measure.

Sy married the love of his life, Sara in 1961. Their bond was deep, steady, and full of joy. After the honeymoon, they moved to LA and began a long and respected career in defense systems engineering at Hughes Aircraft. Together they raised Alan and Barbara in Palos Verdes starting in 1963.

Sy was a dedicated family provider with a world class work ethic. With over half a century in the Aerospace industry and selling homes with his company SIE Realty, he remained active to his 80s, closing his final home sale in 2020. Devoted grandfather to Alex, Josh, Carly, and Jaclyn, he was always behind a camera capturing their milestones with pride. He cherished time with family and friends above all—travels to Hawaii, NYC, Europe, Canada, or Lake Tahoe, basketball with Alan, scoping out real estate with Barbara, or simply parties with friends.

Sy had a zest for life and a gift of finding joy in life’s simple pleasures—Walks on the Esplanade, ice cream, World War II books, concerts, movies, theater, and art shows in Santa Barbara. A gifted musician, he played clarinet, saxophone, flute, oboe and piano, he was a member of the PV Symphonic Band. He never turned down a good bagel with cream cheese, a baguette, Susie’s chicken, a glass of “2 Buck Chuck”, or a meal at Junior’s Deli.

A lifelong UCLA sports fan, Sy lived his life with warmth, humor, intellect, and a steady moral compass. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him. In honoring Sy’s life, the family invites you to take a moment to enjoy a song, a bagel, or a stroll—just as he would have.