Obituary of Raymond Ferraro

Vestal - Raymond J. Ferraro, of Vestal, passed away at home on January 30, 2018. He was predeceased by his parents James and Rose Ferraro, his brothers Charles (Vera) and Nicholas (Frieda) Ferraro and sisters Estella (Dominic) Rosso and Eleanor (Leonard) De Piero; brother-in-law Richard Breitwieser. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rita, sons Mark, Steven (Erin), daughter Mary, grandson Nicholas (Ashley) Ferraro and granddaughter Kristen (Joshua) Marker, great grandson Connor Marker, daughter-in-law Opal Ferraro, sister-in-law Rosemarie Breitwieser, as well as many nieces and nephews. Ray was born in Niagara Falls, New York in 1925. He is a graduate of Niagara University and St. John's University School of Law. He worked as project office manager for De Felice Co., at various infrastructure projects in New York State. In 1965 he joined the New York State Department of labor as manager of the on-the-job training program for 26 years until his retirement. He was active in organizing the Public Employee Federation (PEF), a public employee union, serving as region 5 president and state-wide retiree president. He served on the Vestal Town Zoning Board of Appeals and was a very active Republican Committeeman. He was a past president of the Vestal Lions Club. He will be remembered as an outgoing, friendly person. The family gives heartfelt thanks to friends: Gordon Allen, Sandy Tilleston and Anita Tyrell for driving Ray to so many events. Also, thanks to the Wednesday morning Skylark breakfast club for their companionship. For those friends that sent cards to the house, please know that Ray thoroughly enjoyed the good wishes and would share those messages with all that visited him at home. Special thanks are extended to the Lourdes Hospice nurses for their compassionate and professional service. Many thanks to Tiairra Robinson for her outstanding daily care of Ray in his final months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ray's memory to Our Lady of Sorrows Food Pantry, 801 Main St., Vestal, NY 13850 or Lourdes Hospice, 41022 Old Vestal Road, Vestal, NY 13850. A memorial mass and celebration of Ray's life will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Friday, February 9, 2018 at 12 Noon. All are welcome.