John O. Ferro Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Schenectady - John O. Ferro of Glenwood Blvd., passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2010. John was born in Schenectady on February 1, 1924, and was the son of Florence Mary and Livio George Ferro. He graduated from the Technical Program at Mont Pleasant High School and from Mohawk College in Utica. He attended Siena College. John was in the Army Air Corps from December 7, 1942 to November 26, 1945, serving for two years as a radar repairman in the Signal Corps attached to the 9th Air Force in the European Theater of Operations. He serviced B-26 medium bombers on airfields in Great Britain, France and Belgium. John joined the family business in 1950. Ferro’s Restaurant, opened in 1936, was one of the earliest and most prominent Italian restaurants and banquet houses in Schenectady. Generations of families celebrated weekly dinners and significant occasions at Ferro’s. Business and civic organizations of all sizes conducted meetings and parties there. John relished following the generations of Schenectady sports teams that came to Ferro’s after home games and local tournaments, especially enjoying the nights when opposing teams ate on different floors so court rivalries would be contained. Before working at the restaurant, John was a technical specialist at the General Electric Labs in Schenectady. After selling Mother Ferro’s in 1970, he managed The Godfather Restaurant in Clifton Park. He was then Production Manager of Codino’s Italian Specialty Foods for more than 10 years, retiring in 1986. John was always an active volunteer. In retirement, he mentored patients after cardiac surgery through Mended Hearts at Ellis Hospital, and worked with Home Furnishings, Inc. Most noteworthy, however, was John’s commitment to St. Anthony’s Church. As a child, was an altar server. In his adult years, John volunteered for St. Anthony’s Church Bingo, was a member of the Parish Bereavement Committee, was an R.C.I.A. mentor, and a member of the First Friday group. He was president of the Holy Name Society for more than 25 years. John also served on the committee that planned and oversaw the renovation of the church and the construction of the chapel in 1984. For years, John was responsible for much of the food at the Festa. Golf was one of John’s lifelong passions. He was a member of the Handicappers Golf League for 49 years and a stockholder and member of Pinehaven Country Club. He volunteered at the Ellis Hospital Skins Game and drove carts at the LPGA Futures Golf Tour. He helped promote and run the Augie DiDonna Memorial Golf Tournament for seven years and helped establish the Scholarship and Benevolent Fund that assists members of the St. Anthony’s community. John is survived by his close and loving family, lead by Jennie Mossa Ferro, his wife of 63 years. His children are Deborah Ferro Burke of Lenox, MA, and George Ferro of Schenectady. Debbie’s husband is Richard Burke and George’s friend is Pam Imbesi. His grandchildren are Alissa Ferro of Boston, Adam Ferro of Colorado, and Alissa’s fiancé, Colin Sheehan. His family also includes his sister, Georgiana Catuccio, her husband Donald, and their children Sandra Bruce and James Catuccio, and their families. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Rose Mossa, nephew Frank Ferro of Connecticut, and several other nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:30 on Sunday afternoon, May 2, 2010, at St. Anthony’s Church in Schenectady. All John’s friends are invited to the party that will follow Mass, in the church hall. Private interment with military honors will be at Saratoga National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in John’s memory to: Mended Hearts Chapter #13 2 Meadowlark Dr. Latham, N.Y. 12110 The Society for Leukemia and Lymphoma Donor Services P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202 The Augie DiDonna Scholarship and Benevolent Fund St. Anthony’s Church 331 Seward Place Schenectady, New York 12305

John O. Ferro

February 1, 1924 - April 27, 2010