Frank F. Ferraro

Frank F. Ferraro, 90, of Springfield, retired Lieutenant of the Springfield Police Department, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the Jewish Nursing Home. Born on March 16, 1926, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Cecilia (Cuglietta) Ferraro. He graduated from Technical High School and received his Associates Degree from STCC. Frank proudly served in the US Merchant Marines during World War II and made numerous trips to Europe and the Mediterranean. He especially enjoyed bringing troops home and was always happy to pull into New York Harbor and see the Statue of Liberty and the jubilation on the faces of the troops. Frank joined the Springfield Police Department in 1957 and served in the uniform squad, records division, traffic bureau, and detective bureau. He was promoted to sergeant in 1970 and lieutenant in 1981. Frank had a long and distinguished career for the City of Springfield and his dedicated service will never be forgotten. His first love was his family and made them a priority before anything else, whether it was family dinners and holidays or card games with his siblings, he could always be found enjoying the company of his family. One of his passions was taking cruises with his grandson, a passion his grandson has inherited from him. He also enjoyed winters spent in Florida with his family and friends. He was a member of the Shriner’s as well as the Elks Club. In his later years, he grew to love the UCONN Women’s Basketball team, affectionately known to him as “his girls”. A man devoted to his family, his community, and his country, Frank will be missed by so many family and friends. Frank was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Violetta Ferraro, in 2009. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter Carol A. McKay and her husband Daniel W. of Longmeadow; his only grandson, Michael D. McKay and his partner Daniel Lindblom of Boca Raton, FL; his sister, Mafalda Fanelli of Rocky Hill, CT (her late husband Robert); nieces and nephews, Sandra Ginley (her late husband Jack), Barbara Fowlds (Sid), Susan Sroka (Dave), Stephen Ferraro (Kathy), Mary Watson (Bob), David McKay (Nancy), and Peter Ferraro (Teresa); 16 great nieces and nephews; and 8 great-great nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by 4 siblings, Carmela Ferraro, Joseph Ferraro (Tina), Rose Serwatka (Edward), and Albert Ferraro (Frances). His family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 21, from 4-7 PM at the Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow. His Funeral will begin on Wednesday, March 22 at 10 AM at the funeral home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11 AM at St. Mary’s Church, Longmeadow. Burial with Military Honors will take place at 1 PM in the chapel of the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Frank’s family would like to thank Dr. James Freeman for his compassionate care for the past 9 years. Memorial donations may be made to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Carew St., Springfield, MA or to a charity of your choice. www.forastiere.com.

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