Charles J. (Chuck) Ferro

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Mr. Charles J. (Chuck) Ferro, 89, peacefully left this life on Friday 6 May 2016 at the Presbyterian Home with his beloved family by his side. He has joined his wife Helen who passed away three weeks earlier. A family man and a loyal friend, Chuck had a big heart of gold.

Chuck was born in Utica on 20 October 1926, the son of the late Anthony and Daisy (Sinisgalli) Ferro. He was a graduate of Proctor High School and went on to complete a preparatory education at the Peddie School in New Jersey. He proudly served in the US Navy during the Second World War.

He married Mrs. Helen Louise (Boehlert) Ferro at St. Francis DeSales Church on 7 August 1948. Following their wedding, the couple moved to New York City where Charles attended the U.S. Brewer's Academy to acquire knowledge for the first two decades of his working life as a marketer of Iroquois and Schaeffer beers as well as our local pride, Utica Club. His jobs took his family and him to Sayre, PA. and Geneva, NY for several years before returning to Utica in 1968. The middle of that decade was marked by some hardships and heartaches, but with his beloved Helen by his side, the family prevailed.

Following a few years as a wine and spirits salesman for the McKesson company, Chuck took a position at the Utica Water Board and later became head of Civil Defense for the city until retirement. He was also active in politics to promote local Republican candidates. For 20 years he was a deputy commissioner of the New York State Athletic Commission.

Chuck is survived by his sister Genevieve Gigliotti of Utica, his sons and daughters-in-law, Charles A. and Rita Ferro of Copenhagen, Denmark; John J. and Christine Ferro of Remsen; Thomas A. Ferro, who lived in the family home for 52 years ; Daniel J. and Francine Ferro of Clayville; and by his grandchildren: Deanna Lee Ferro-Aurience and her husband Anthony Aurience of Utica; Maria-Celeste Ferro and her husband Teo Breland - and a great-granddaughter Emely Amanda of Copenhagen; Dr. Eric John Ferro of Japan; Rochelle Lynn Ferro of Utica; and Anthony Charles Ferro and Jennifer Ann Ferro of Clayville; and, a special buddy-cousin, Anthony Fillipelli.

Chuck was an avid coin collector and trader throughout most of his life. Upon retirement, he took a keen interest in garage sales and flea markets. The family home was filled with treasures and items somebody somewhere might call treasures. At his flea market stands, Chuck always wore a home-altered Nehru-collared shirt and red spenders. "Browsers remember the red suspenders and return to the table to buy an item they spotted earlier," he always said.

Chuck was blessed with a long life, which provides countless memories, but one that epitomizes the man stands out: The day he proudly came home from work with a new tricycle for Tommy, his special son. Tommy joyfully mounted the trike, but fell and broke a (baby) tooth. The expression of realization, love and pain in the father's eyes as Mother Helen soothed Tommy in her arms said it all.

Chuck's family extends sincere appreciation to the staff at the Presbyterian Home for their dedicated care. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday 10 May at the Scala & Roefaro Funeral Home on 1122 Culver Ave. Funeral-service prayers will be held at the conclusion of visitation at 7:00 pm in the funeral home. Private internment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Those wishing to express an act of kindness in Chuck's memory may make a donation The ARC.

Service

Tuesday, May 10 2016