Gilbert Ferreira, a retired metal mechanic who worked for several Baltimore employers, died of cancer Thursday at his home in Lost Creek, W. Va. He was 63.

A memorial service for Mr. Ferreira was held yesterday at the Morris Funeral Home in Jane Lew, W. Va.

Mr. Ferreira was retired from Trane Central Air Conditioning and Heating, where he worked until the mid-1970s. Before that, he had been employed at Bethlehem Steel Corp. and Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., where he began working when he first came to Baltimore in 1950.

Mr. Ferreira served in the merchant marine during World War II.

After the war, he moved to Baltimore, where he met his wife, the former Edith P. Snyder. They were married on April 25, 1950.

He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Carolyn Barr of Baltimore, Jean Director of Westminster and Deborah Ferreira Williams of Graspon, Ohio; a stepson, W. Darrell Snyder of Weston, W. Va.; three brothers; five sisters; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family suggests contributions to the Peoples Hospice of Clarksburg, W. Va., 26301.