Grandpa,    We are all so blessed and grateful to have had you in our lives.  You left a beautiful legacy for us all.  I will always remember all of the lessons that you taught us through your actions.  Actions that speak louder than words is a phrase that we have all heard before.  Instead of speaking about the way one should do something you truly demonstrated it.  After coming back from your house, the day of your passing, I stopped at Michelle’s house.  Lily ran up to me and gave me a big hug.  She showed me her new shirt and said that she wore it for Pop Pop because it reminded her of him.  The shirt was of the cartoon Snoopy and read “See the good in Everything.”  She said that Pop Pop was always happy.  What a powerful message that you left through the eyes of a 9-year-old.  Your positive outlook on life was truly contagious and affected all who came in contact with you.  I will never forget the time when we were at your house and your neighbor was outside digging up his mailbox and putting it in your yard so that they would have more parking room.  Grandma was so angry and told me and Michelle to get down there right away and tell him to remove it!  By the time we reached the end of the driveway you were already there speaking with your neighbor.  You, the only non-Irish blooded person there was so calm and collective. You told him this was not okay and kindly asked him to remove it from your property.  You shook hands with him and walked away.  I stood there with my hands across my chest and watched and said “Grandpa shouldn’t we stay here and make sure that he removes it.”  You told me “No he will do it.”  The man immediately responded to your request and the issue was resolved.  I was amazed at how well you kept your composure, yet clearly made your point.  This was a great quality that you displayed and is why you were so respected by all the people who came into contact with you.  I remember, as a teenager, hearing about your retirement party.  So many people were sad to see you leave.  One woman spoke about how you never made her feel bad about having family obligations and that you said “family first always.”  Family was always your priority and you extended this philosophy to others.  I am not sure how many of us would cry at our boss's retirement party.  These reactions demonstrated the special man that you were to so many people. You had high expectations for yourself and worked so hard to achieve all of your accomplishments. Nothing was ever handed to you.  You came from a generation when education was not prioritized.  Yet, you defeated the odds that were set against you and put yourself through college.  You became the sole college graduate in a family of six children! In the year 1949 when you graduated with your Bachelorette degree the percentage of men in the United States with a college degree was 6.2%.  What an amazing accomplishment!  You were always my inspiration for continuing my education.  You provided me with positive encouragement throughout my journey.  When I would come home after working all day and then would have to complete my motherly duties, school was the last thing that I would want to do.  Often, I would think of you and how you were the sole provider of your family and would work all day and then drive half an hour each way while working on your Master's Degree.  During our last visit together at Christmas time I was finally able to tell you that I finished school and earned by BSN.  You said how proud you were of me and that you knew I could and would do it! You then asked me when I was going back for my Master's Degree!  You always were open to improving oneself and wanting everyone to be the best they could be!  I said to you “Grandpa statistics was the absolute worst class that I ever took and I have no idea how you ever taught that class!”  You laughed and said “well back in those days there were not any computers and so students didn’t know if what you were saying was right or wrong.” I loved your sense of humor.  My favorite place in the world is the beach.  You were so selfless over the years allowing your family to have vacations there.  So many beautiful memories were made there because of you.  Your generosity means more than you ever knew.  You are truly the greatest man that I ever have known.  And so, I will follow along with the 9-year-old and try to “See the good in Everyone.”  I love you always - Tina

Maywood drive in Seaford NY- the beginning of Jack and Maureen Ferraro’s beautiful life together.

Picture taken on Dad’s 95th birthday -  12.21.21 Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts. Shine through the darkness. Christ be our light, dad’s life has brightened and followed your way I could not have been more blessed than to have had Jack Ferraro for my father-in-law. Through the decades we shared many meals and most importantly lots of laughs. I will always cherish those little moments here and there where we were just able to chuckle together.  Those special family events when we assembled to share our joy, gave us a foundation built upon actions of love. Throughout a lot of those times our growing family gathered in prayer, witness and celebration in the Church for the sacraments: marriages, baptisms, first communions and confirmations.  How fortunate we all were to be the summer recipients of Mom and Dad’s generosity in their sharing and maintaining of Salty Sands for nearly four decades. They gave each generation a place to bond with their families during summers.  We have all had that time to refresh our lives by the sea, that Dad so loved, and experience family fun. Jack Ferraro was an unforgettable and honorable man fueled by a tender heart. A solid example of integrity and respect. Although he has passed on, his beauty inside and out is present within each of his three sons that he and Mom together raised into three responsible, dedicated, loyal, loving men.  Dad, you led the way for us with the strength of your loving heart and eternally faithful soul. Thank you Love,  Celeste

How do you tell the story of a great Dad in only a few minutes? Maybe the best way is simply remember our lives with him, what he gave us and what we’ll always have from his love. He was a good man and taught us to live our lives by that same code.  Family always came first for Dad, whether it was him being a scout leader with our troop teaching us leadership, personal and civic responsibility and the importance of learning we’ll need to invest time with our future children; or making sure he came to every baseball game, swim meet, wrestling match or any other activity  we were in; and of course at the same time working everyday then adding hours for night school to earn his Master of Science in Math, working at Hofstra as a part-time teacher and in Maryland volunteering at Montgomery College as a Math tutor – Dad loved Math.  Every decision he made whether it was with time or money was a decision on how best to take care of our family including saving every penny he could along the way to take care of Mom and him during retirement. He taught us how rise above challenges, to stand back up no matter how hard we were knocked down, because “what other choice do you have?” All of us have had good years and bad years, and all of us learned by watching Dad how to fix what was broken and then get back to our lives and our family. He taught us how to dream – he started before we were born, dreaming of having a house on “the Island” for us to grow up in and he did it; having family vacations together at Candlewood Lake; having a boat for us to enjoy as a family on the LI sound; then a condo in Ocean City for all our families to enjoy.  But beyond material dreams for us all to share together, he helped us learn how to dream for ourselves. Dad showed us the way to find our dreams and make them happen in our lives with hard work and dedication. He taught us to value and love our religion, the foundation for everything we would need to be a good person throughout our lives. He taught us how to learn and try new things – like music lessons, going to musicals at Jones Beach, playing chess and checkers, listening to his favorite operas, going on day trips to old forts or Kings Point to watch football games.  We may not have liked all these things, but they helped us become well rounded in the sciences, history, the arts, literature and sports/physical fitness. He taught us to love with what he did, said and how he lived; from my first memories in Long Island to my last moments with him that love was always there. And as brothers over the years, we’ve shown that we’ve learned that important lesson with family gatherings and celebrations in our homes to Kevin, Jim and me being there every week when him and Mom needed us. Over the past few months Dad would call each of us at night asking about when he would be going home (meaning back to Long Island) and that he was ready and had his bag packed. The night before he died, he called me not to ask about going home to Long Island, but to tell me he would be leaving in the morning.  Like always, I promised Dad that we would make those plans together when I came over in the morning. I didn’t know, this time …………… he was really leaving. Dad, we all love you, we all miss you.  All of us - Mom, your 3 sons, 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren (soon to be 12),  You will always be in our hearts – thank you.

Our Dad, a loving, patient, kind man who lived by those 3 words. God , family and country. Through his teaching and living out each one. Church, praying before meals and bedtime. Always supportive to all of us including grandchildren, great grandchildren. Took great interest in government, politics and well being of our country. During his life he always put his family first in everything through hard work and sacrifice. Everything he had was earned by himself alone. Nothing given to him and never complained. Dad was always with us enjoying holidays ,birthday’s weekend get togethers with a smile on his face. He especially enjoyed seeing the grandchildren and great grandchildren and would talk about them. He was a man who we could talk to about everything and always gave us his wisdom. He was a very humble person. I remember thanking him of being the best ever and how I wished I could be half the man he was.  He loved and cared for Mom to the very end. A love that is rare these days. I will never forget him and know that I will think and pray for him daily. I believe that Dad went straight to heaven and the first words God said to him were “ You did well my son “   I love you Dad, Always  Kevin

Dad is a father of 3 boys, 10 grandchildren and 10 Great grandchildren with Grand twins coming in July.  He was a man of countless accomplishments. Went to Queens College only to be interrupted by World War II and the Korean War where he proudly served in the Army , came back and finished his undergraduate. Married the love of his life Maureen A. McGarry in 1950. He went on to obtain his master’s at Hofstra University where he briefly worked a professor.  We were raised on Maywood drive in Seaford NY in a beautiful house. Dad was always active in the community and church. A leader, Professor, mathematician, lecturer, Boy Scout leader, and Knights of Columbus. A man of numerous talents, determination, and attributes. He fostered positive attitude and always had time for his family, wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.   As we grew up in Seaford, I have fond memories of weekly visits with family. Each week it was not if we were visiting someone, it was just a matter of where, as family was important. Sunday mass and then dinners at his mom’s house that of course had the traditional multi course dinners, gathering with family, picnics, always lots of great food, but best of all Family!  Dad was an engineer and worked in the private sector for Gruman, Sperry then moved to Maryland to work for Bradford, afterwards he then went to the Navy as a civilian. Received his high-level security clearance and worked on numerous confidential submarine  building projects. The Trident nuclear submarine was the biggest one in the 70’s that he was extremely proud of.   Dad love extended to  his pets! Over the years, birds – Sweetie pie 1,2,3 and 4, fish, and dogs - Midnight, King and Lance. I dare say Lance may have been the favorite – aka “Sir Lance of Derwood”.  As dad’s memory started to slip over the past year, he told us many times that he wanted to go home. We told him that he was home, he lived here in Md for 50 years and this was home. But Seaford, NY  was still his other home. He would often  call us and tell us his bags are packed and he is ready. Friday night before he passed, he called my brother and told him that his bags were packed and next to the door ready to go.   Dad, tomorrow came, the lord called you and you are now home.  We all miss you and love you and know that you are happy in your final home in heaven.  Thank you for being the best dad ever, taking care of us and we all have wonderful memories.  Love Jim &  Julie,  Chris, Nick, Kathleen

W are very sorry to lose our dear friend and neighbor of over 46 years.  He was a true gentleman, always kind and gentle.  The love for his Maureen and his sons and their families was his top priority.  We are glad that we knew Jack, and will miss him very much.  Sue and Ray Richardson

Grandpa was a great man, and he will be missed. I still have fond memories of playing board games with him and grandma when I was younger, talking with him about my studies, and even discussing his past work at the Navy. The bowls of candy he kept around the house were just about always full, and he always welcomed a visit or a call.  He was the most kind and gentle grandfather that I (or anyone) could have asked for. He may be gone now, but he brightened everyone's lives, and we are all better people because of his influence.

OBITUARY

Jack Peter Ferraro

December 21, 1926 – February 5, 2022

DeVol Funeral Home

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