Joseph Alfred Ferraro

On March 3rd , 2020 , Joe Ferraro passed from this life . He began this life's journey on February 3rd , 1942 , in Greenwich , Connecticut , as the firstborn son of Santa ( Carlucci ) Ferraro and Alfred Ferraro , who have predeceased him . Joe grew up in Greenwich playing in his beloved Bible Street Park amidst a large extended family and working for his father in the landscaping industry , which fostered a life long love & interest in building , making and growing things . It was also under his father's guidance that Joe learned to hunt . This began a lifetime of hunting with his father , uncles , brothers , friends and sons at the family hunting home and numerous family holidays shared there in that beautiful rustic setting .

In high school , Joe met his sweetheart , Cindi King , who would become his wife in 1967. At Greenwich High School , Joe excelled in many sports , but it was football that earned him a scholarship to Hillsdale College in Hillsdale , Michigan , one of the few colleges in the country that does not accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies for any of its operations . He was the first one in his family to attend college . After determining that his size was a deterrent at the college level of football , he and a group of friends started a Hillsdale hockey team that travelled around to other colleges to practice and compete . That team still exists today .

Upon graduation from Hillsdale College , Joe enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard and spent seven years in active and reserve service .

Joe began his business career with Gristede Brothers in New York City and Connecticut . A chance social meeting would change the path of that career and drive it to Genuine Parts Company ( NAPA ) , where Joe spent the balance of his business life , influencing and training many people along the way and making many dear and lifelong friends . Nearly 40 years later , with moves to Piscataway , New Jersey , Buffalo , New York and Glastonbury , Connecticut , Joe retired and took on a new project of clearing land , managing and building a new home on the hunting property in the Berkshire Mountains on the Massachusetts / New York border . There he confirmed what he already knew ... that he could complete or fix almost anything . That accomplished , he spent 7 years there before moving permanently to Palm City , where he spent much time working on perfecting his golf game at Monarch Country Club .

In work and in life , he was an incredibly humble man who never forgot his Italian American roots and reveled in stories of his grandmother's simple life of growing their own food and being self - sufficient in every way . Joe loved people and made friends wherever he went . He never met a stranger and once meeting you , he never forgot you . He was a man who practiced and lived his Catholic faith by helping those in need in big and small ways . Joe was a loyal friend who reached out to all and was a loyal member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Palm City .

His greatest joy in life was his loving family . After three near - death experiences , it was his time to rest . He leaves behind his wife of 53 years , Cindi Ferraro of Palm City ; sons , Scott Ferraro ( Christy Pannell ) of Atlanta , GA ; Todd Ferraro ( Arlene ) of Pittsburgh , PA ; Robb Ferraro , of Nepal ; daughters , Dana Sorge ( Josh ) of Lakewood , Ohio and Stacy Henshaw ( Paul ) of Block Island , RI ; 10 grandchildren ; Bryce & Graham Ferraro ; Dillon , Chase and Jack Ferraro ; Turner , Annabelle and Madalynne Sorge and Peyton and Nash Henshaw ; brothers ; Al Ferraro of Greenwich , CT and William Ferraro ( Marie Hlavaty ) of Rowayton , CT .; sister - in - law , Beverly King of Cambridge , MA ; Alyssa Perri ( Donny ) , Nicki & Lia ; Lindsay Pignataro ( Mike ) , Lilly & Luke and Lauren Ferraro and a large extended family of uncles & many beloved cousins in the Tri - State area .

After a life well - lived , he will be greatly missed .

A Celebration of Life and a gathering for friends and family will be held at Forest Hills Funeral Home at 1:00 pm on Monday, February 27 .

PEACE COMES FROM WITHIN .

DO NOT SEEK IT WITHOUT .

Buddha