James Joseph Ferraro

Jim was the beloved husband of Patricia Ann Caminita Ferraro for 75 years, brother to Catherine Ferraro Pretus and JoAnn Ferraro, and loving father of James Ferraro Jr (Linda), David Ferraro (Jeanne) and Keith Ferraro (Debbie). He was the best grandfather to James Ferraro (Corey), Aaron Ferraro (Lacey), Gregory Ferraro (Emily) and Megan Cook (Tommy) and was the great-grandfather of Sofia Donita Ferraro.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Patricia Ann Caminita Ferraro, parents, Christine Beninati Ferraro and James Anthony Ferraro, brother, Mitchell G. Ferraro, sister-in-law, Merle Venta Ferraro, brother-in-law, Milton Phillip Pretus, and grandson Steven T. Riddle.

Jim was born on July 22, 1925, in New Orleans in the Carrolton Ave area, and remained a long-time resident until moving to Metairie in his later years. He graduated from Warren Easton in 1942. In September of 1943 he joined the United States Army Air Corps. In February of 1945 he graduated from The Army Air Forces Bombardier School of Carlsbad, New Mexico Class 45-1-B, proudly earning his Bombardier Wings. This training prepared him to fly as a B-29 Bomber Bombardier, continually completing test missions in the southern desert region of New Mexico until the end of WWII in September 1945. While continuing his military service, his Bombardier Wings were upgraded to U.S. Air Force Navigator and Combat Systems Officer (CSO) Wings. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and reenlisted in the US Air Force Reserve. He retired with the Air Force rank of Major/04 many years later.

In 1947 he was hired by Southern Bell Telephone Company as an Installer. In this position, he was routinely climbing telephone poles and routing phone cables in the course of providing telephone service to residential customers. He held various positions within the company, supporting the Corporate Account Management Division as Southern Bell was expanding its commercial telephone services and operations. After 43 years of service, he retired in 1991 from South Central Bell Telephone Company. His last position with the company was a Data System Specialist.

Jim was a good father and tried to make sure his family was well provided for. Sundays were typically spent around the kitchen table for large meals with family or often driving to the Gulf Coast for lunch on a sunny afternoon. There were also many Sunday afternoons spent having martinis with his wife Pat, Gene and Jane Buchert, and Jack and Beryl Caminita, a tradition that they all enjoyed together for many years. He would also often take his sons on fishing trips along with his dad, teaching the boys how to fish.

He was a very generous individual who consistently donated to numerous charitable organizations and was always willing to help family and friends with anything that needed to be repaired, including automobiles, appliances, leaking faucets, and broken furnaces to name a few. As a weekend hobby he taught himself to be an auto mechanic. He was capable of any repairs, including completely rebuilding an engine. He had a knack for fixing anything that broke and had tools to fix everything. He even had tools to fix tools. He was mechanically inclined and passed this trait on to all his sons. He also enjoyed woodworking and routinely built and repaired many pieces of household furniture.

He truly looked forward to the Mardi Gras season every year and made it a point to attend the parades with his family. He was a long-time riding member of the Krewe of Caesar and was active in the organization for many years. He also took the time to make sure his three sons would ride together in the Ceasar Parade for numerous years as well as sponsoring his three grandchildren to be riding members of Ceasar and it was a highlight for him to ride together with them for several years. Jim and Pat took the 3 grandsons on a vacation to Washington, DC, a trip they all thoroughly enjoyed. Additionally, he made the arrangements for the entire family to take a Caribbean Christmas Cruise together. This would be a very special trip that created a lifetime of memories.

He enjoyed his time with the BellSouth Pioneers charitable organization and donated many hours of his time to community service projects sponsored by the Pioneers, especially Boo in the Zoo. He was also a member of the Good Ole Metairie Boys Club and served as president in 2010.

He was a dedicated customer and friend of the owners of Angelo’s Bakery and remained close to the family, Lena and Elvin Steierwald, and their daughter Lisa Seaward and husband Brad throughout his lifetime. He was also a good friend and customer of Angelo Brocato’s and always purchased boxes of their Italian cookies and pastries for the family holiday gatherings, just as his grandfather and father did in years past.

After his retirement his hobbies included cooking (his turtle soup and crawfish etouffee were some of his best dishes). Jim was also an avid photographer and enjoyed taking pictures of many local historic land marks and when he and Pat visited the southern plantations. As a matter of fact, Jim met Pat when she was employed by Harkam Photo Store in downtown New Orleans. He would also often go to the Honey Island Shooting Range for target practice with his brother, son, and grandsons.

He developed many lifelong friendships from his Mid-City neighborhood buddies where he grew up, to his classmates from Warren Easton as well as his co-workers at BellSouth.

He was devoted to his Catholic Faith and a parishioner of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church for many years. He always kept his faith close and was steadfast in his belief.

In 2023 he moved into St. Francis Villa Assisted Living Center, where the staff members affectionately called him “Mr. Jimmy”. He enjoyed his time and conversations with staff members and other residents while residing there. What he particularly liked to do was to bring a smile to the faces of the staff members when they were attending to him. Many laughs were exchanged when staff members would visit him. And of course, there were also times that he didn’t want to be bothered, but that would also end up drawing a big laugh as well.

We would like to extend a very special “Thank You” to Mrs. Barbara Deris and the entire staff at St. Francis Villa for their unwavering support and care extended while he was living there. There are no words that can express the depth of our gratitude! The family would also like to add a very sincere “Thank You” to Sandra Kirton and Donna Ponder, who both provided compassionate and devoted care for our dad during the last 2 months of his time at St. Francis Villa. We also extend our thanks to Scott Burgess, who offered exceptional physical therapy and supportive care throughout his time with our dad. The family would also like to thank Passages Hospice for the wonderful care they provided for our dad, which helped the family during this difficult time. In addition, they also offered advice, encouragement, and support when we needed it the most. A special thank you to Ellen Singleton who provided care for our dad when he resided at York St.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA. Visitation will be held from 9 AM – 11 AM with a Mass to begin at 11 AM. Interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery. All are invited to join in the Celebration of Life for Jim Ferraro in the Lake Lawn Event Center.

One of Jim’s many quotes well after he was 100 years old was; “Let me show you how an old man does it”. This was always a resounding moment for him to prove that he still had what it takes, even as he was much older!

He will certainly be missed!

While flowers are always welcome, you may also consider donating to the ASPCA https://secure.aspca.org/donate/memorial or to The World War II Museum https://www.nationalww2museum.org/give/honor-your-hero/tribute-gifts-national-wwii-museum.