Thinking of Michael and his family as we approach the 4th Anniversary.

Mike, we will always remember you and keep a special place in our home for you. Love, Dad

At our Congregation Beth Elohim in Acton, Deena and I honor Mike's memory every year. There is a Jewish tradition to observe the memory of a loved one on the anniversary of their passing.  

Deena and I will always remember Mike. He had a tough life, beset by mental issues. We hope he is at peace now.  

To Mike, 

We observed your yahrzeit at Beth Elohim recently and lit a candle on January 6.  And this spring we will install your stone at Beit Olam in Wayland. No date for the dedication at your graveside is picked yet, but it likely will be in March or April when the weather allows.    

Love, Mom & Dad 

Mike was my younger cousin.  I haven't seen Mike in many, many years, as we lived in different states.  I remember him as a small child, as "Mikey". My strongest memory of him was his difficulty saying the letter "r".  One day during a visit, he said his "r" correctly and the whole family cheered! He had such a big smile on his face as we all celebrated his success. This is my memory of Mike, full of joy as a young child before his mental illness took hold.  I hope that Mike is now peaceful and released from his painful illness.  I pray for Bob, Deena and Liz as they grieve Mike. I love them all very much. 

I remember that one day I stopped by Bob and Deena's to say hello when they living on Columbus Avenue in Somerville, when Mike was just a few months old. I happened to stop by around 5:30PM , about the time my twin brother Bob used to come home from work. When I came through the door, Mike got excited and wanted to play with me.  Mike and I were having a good time playing together when Bob strolled through the door a few minutes later. However, Mike did not jump on Bob like he usually did. Instead Mike just kept on playing with me, as if Bob were not even there.   When I got up to go, Mike started crying and did not want me to leave. 
We finally figured out that Mike must be thinking I was Bob, so we hatched a plan:  we would both go out of the room, change clothes, and come back into the room. And guess what, the plan worked!! When we came back into the room, Mike went right for Bob! 

Mikey (as I know him) and I connected about 21 years ago when he first moved to Minnesota.  I tried to be there for him then, but he was not in a place to accept help.  Then almost 2  years ago, he and I reconnected again.  I would regularly stop in to see him, see how he was doing and play games with him.  He loved to play Connect Four.  Myself and his friends at Grandma's Place have never won this game against Mikey.  So, I brought over Rack-O, since this is what us grandchildren played frequently at our Grandma Ferrara's home, and I still didn't beat him.  Mike taught our son, when he was 8 years old at the time, how to play chess.  My son still remembers what Mike taught him 20 years later.  The last time I saw Mike was at Christmas 2019.  My husband and I took him out to eat at a Chinese Restaurant.  He was excited to see so much food!  We talked about family, his life, and his health.  Afterwards, we went shopping for some items he needed and wanted.  We dropped him off at his home, hugged and I told him that I love him.  He looked me in the eye (which he rarely did) and said, "Love you, too."  I told him I would stop over again soon and he said, "Ok, bye."  I never saw Mikey again, but my memories of him, especially the last couple of years will always be in my heart.  He was a quiet and gentle soul who was content with the life that he had recently.  
God bless you Liz, Bob and Deena.  You have given Mike the best that he could have.  Thank you for sharing him with me.  I love you all.  
Love you Mikey!

Dear Ferrara Family:
I am so very sorry to learn of the loss of Michael just earlier this evening, and so shortly after I connected with Deena, and we reminisced about the loss of my sister, Rosalyn. 
Please know that I am thinking of you, and wishing you all peace
and comfort at this time of great loss and sadness.

I am forever grateful for Mike bringing the Ferrara and Tannenbaum families together.  May he rest in peace.

OBITUARY

Michael Ferrara

May 21, 1973 – January 6, 2020

Stanetsky Memorial Chapel

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