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Vincent Ferrara Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Vincent Ferrara
Sponsored by Yolanda C. Ferrara, Vincent's First Daughter.
Yolanda Ferrara
July 12, 2008
Happy "Heavenly" Birthday, Dad!
This is the third year, today, that you have enjoyed heaven! I know that it took you a long time to "confess Jesus Christ" in order to get there, but if you came back, I am sure that you would agree with me that it (salvation) is the absolute most important decision any human being can ever make! And then we could both talk about about the love and grace of God until you tell me that you must return because it is now home for you! Halleluiah! Before you would go, I would have to tell you that the day you told me, "I love Jesus" and I refused to believe you, but you convinced me by wanting to pray a prayer that opened heaven's gate to you -- THAT was the best day of my life! I have never been as happy as I was that day, 4-1/2 years ago! After all the years of prayer for you, I cried for joy for 2 days! And, I still am!
It's amazing how you are not here but you still are, Dad! One of the best gifts God gave me was a wonderful memory (but nothing compared to yours!), and I think of and recall so many, many things that you said, not necessarily at a time of instruction, that are very helpful, insightful, funny, and comforting! I am always taken back to the time you told me about what Samuel Clemmons ("Charles Dickens") said when I was 17 and we were "at odds" about almost everything ... You said that when he was around my age he thought his father was, bascially, the dumbest guy that ever hit the planet. Then, when he was several years older, he was amazed at how much his father had learned in such a short period of time! That's me and I'm still there! Why? Because I know I will never meet anyone in this life that was as greatly gifted, especially intellectually, by God as you! What a JOY and a BLESSING God has given me in and through you, Dad! What more can I say, except that I love you more than ever and I absolutely cannot wait until I see you again in that glorious place of Jesus Christ where there is no sunset and no dawning for all eternity! Loving you forever,
Yolanda Ferrara
July 31, 2007
Dear Dad:
Well, it's been 2 years that you have been in heaven! I can just imagine how impressed with it you were, initially, and probably still are! I remember telling you (before your acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior 1-1/2 years before that special day when you went!) that of all the people that I could ever imagine wanting to go to heaven just to ask God all the incredible questions that could come only from that unbelievably blessed intelligence that He showered you with, you should be going! I guess you have had time to ask it all, by now. And, I guess that the absolute unequivocal shock of all your friends and family NOT expecting YOU to be there has waned! Well, I will tell you one thing that has not waned, and that is that I love you just as much as ever! Of course, I have missed you immensely! But the fact that I do know where you are, and Who you are with, and that I will definitely see you again, comforts me greatly!
I do wish that you were personally here with me this month because of a certain event that I would have loved to have shared in person with you above all others, Dad! And, that is that my first patent was issued by the US Government on July 3rd! I can never forget seeing that important and impressive first page, and reading "UNITED STATES PATENT Ferrara" and thinking of you! You never had any boys to carry on your last name, but I will tell you that you have a daughter who has your last name that will stay in the US patent history books until there is no more United States of America! It was and still is a great honor, Dad. I did ask Jesus to tell you about it! I guess I'll have to wait until I get to see you to see if He did! So, I am waiting for my product to be completed (soon, I hope). There was a lot of work to be done, most of which was writing all the voluminous material for everything involved. Many, many a time I would think of how you always corrected my English growing up through the years, and how I wish you could see all that I have done all by myself! (The truth being that the Lord gets all the glory!) I would have LOVED to tell you that ALL those corrections have borne fruit and I am so incredibly thankful to you for taking the time with all those corrections that have rewarded me so immeasureably, especially in laying the foundation for my new corporation! YOU have saved me thousands and thousands of dollars, Dad, and I am just beginning! But far greater than the money saved is the satisfaction of knowing that the accolades of my life could never be told without your named being mentioned also! And that's what good fathers do for their children, as you have, on many many fronts!
Dad, I just wanted to take this time and interrupt the busyness of my life to say that I love you everyday more than ever. The older I get and the more challenges I encounter, the more I remember what you have told and taught me! Rarely, does a day escape that I have not lovingly thought of or spoken of you! And, Dad, it wasn't so much what you said, but what you did by example that is impressing me more and more as time goes by! Thanks, Dad.
It wouldn't be right to end this note without giving the greatest thanks to the God who made you and allowed me to be your daughter! So, I will say, with all that is in me, Lord, thank you for the honor of knowing and being loved by my father. People have told me that they think that I do love You and trust You so very much, my Heavenly Father, because of my relationship with my earthly father! Another thing to be forever thankful for from Dad and from you, O Lord God, from whom, truly, all blessings flow!
Barbara Gros
September 5, 2006
Barbara Gros
Yolanda Ferrara
July 12, 2006
Dear Dad:
Today is a significant day for me -- exactly one year ago you went to be with the Lord. I have missed you very much, Dad. A long time ago Barbara's mother said, "Life is bittersweet." And, so, I have come to personally find this to be so true, especially concerning you in my life. I have missed you much, Dad (the "bitter"). I miss seeing your sweet face light up whenever I used to walk through the door and say, "Hi, Dad!" You were the only one in my life who honestly and sincerely wanted to know all the things that were going on in my life. I have missed telling you and spending much time with you. There was not a subject that that I could not discuss with you, and you were always available to render insight and wisdom. I miss the unlimited access I had to your almost unbelievable degree of intelligence. My friends always tell me that they are always amazed at the close, personal, no-holds-barred relationship I enjoy with Jesus Christ -- that I can tell Him anything and everything! I tell them that that's the way it was with my Earthly Father.
Dad, the day that you declared Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and said, with big tears streaming down your face, "I love Jesus!" was the happiest day in my whole life! NOTHING in life has been as joyful as that 24th day of January, 2004! THAT is the "sweet" part of my life! I am so thankful that God allowed your free will to choose Him! I know that you have never been happier than that day, one year ago, when you got to see Jesus for the first time, face to face! What an unexplainable joy that must have been and is something you will enjoy for all of eternity!
I know that you can't read this, Dad. But I do pray that Jesus will tell you about it. He loves us so very, very much, and He knows it would bring me great joy to have Him tell you about this, that that's the only reason I have written. I love you, Dad. When I would tell you that, you would always say, "I love you very much!" Forever, thank you God, the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy spirit for allowing me to know Vincent John Ferrara as my Dad. He was the best of the very best, and he still is!
Ed Campos
September 19, 2005
Mr. Ferrara - that's what I called him - had so many beautiful ways to express his talents and the way he was. For instance, he had a great love for music, cooking (he was a great cook), and his incredible knowledge about almost everything. He could talk about any subject. This man could top everybody and nobody could compete with him! The word "outstanding" definitely describes him as a human being. No matter if he felt good of not, he always smiled and had a happy face. At the end of his life he even liked to watch cartoons! I know that he is now with God in heaven. Some people will be wondering how I know this, especially because of how he used to talk about God. But I do know this because his daughter, Yolanda, never gave up praying for his salvation, and then, one day he got saved. Now he's in a much better place because on earth there is nothing but problems. Although I can no longer give him his B-12 shots twice a week, or see him almost everyday like I used to, I know that one day in the not too distant future, I will meet and see him again in heaven. In the meantime, he will be missed. He was a very good man.
A Brazilian Admirer, with love, Ed Campos
William Berringer
September 1, 2005
I learned to appreciate finer foods when I first met Uncle Vinny after becoming engaged to his niece, Mimi. He served me a beef dish one holiday that was out of this world. When I asked for 2nds, he smiled and said “you really like that COW TONGUE don’t you?” After the initial shock of what I just ate, I couldn’t help but still have a 2nd dish of it since no matter what it was, Uncle Vinnie prepared it to perfection and it was delicious every time.
He also introduced me to the appreciation of exotic plants which is how I became infatuated with orchids, the largest plant family. Easter at his grove was like going into an exotic garden filled with exotic blooms of flowering plants. He taught me how to make an Orchid germination box that ended up becoming my hobby – my new appreciation of plants. He will be missed but always remembered with love and pride.
Bill Berringer
July 27, 2005
We are truly grateful to have had someone as special as our Uncle Vinny in our lives! We will always remember him for his wonderful conversations, his love of music and art, and his wisdom. I have many fond memories that will live with me forever…the family get-togethers, the holidays…to listen to Uncle Vinny accompany grandma’s piano playing in a beautiful rendition of “Oh Holy Night”! He absolutely was a magnificent man. We have so much to be thankful for!
Uncle Vinny will be remembered always by me, Yuko, and our baby Katelyn (who will know him through my wonderful memories and stories).
You are always in our hearts!
Frank Kennedy
July 24, 2005
Uncle Vinny was the personification of everything laudable about the human race. He was loving, honorable, sympathetic, brave and practically omniscient. He was passionately devoted to music, literature, history, science, and art. His knowledge of them was awe-inspiringly profound. Between the influence of my Uncle Vinny and my intellectually brilliant parents I was influenced to tackle the same subjects. The earliest memory I have of that is a book my uncle sent me during the war - Pinocchio by Collodi in Italian. Naturally I required assistance in the interpretation. I will remember him always as a constantly brilliant inspiration who will aways be loved by me, my children Frankie (a popular artist) and Terese (an artist, diving instructor, and underwater photographer) who gave him a picture on his last night of a brilliantly laughing fish which caused him to smile, and by my wife Elyse (his favorite librarian).
In loving memory and pride,
Frank & Elyse, Terese, Frankie, Vicki, Aegean, and Kai Kennedy
Reg Kennedy
July 21, 2005
After my father died, I went to Uncle Vinny for advice on life. My father brought me from childhood to adolescence and Uncle Vinny brought me into manhood.
I confided in him because I knew he was a man of honor and no matter what I asked him, I knew I would get nothing but the truth no matter how harsh because that is how he lived his life, speaking the truth. One of his favorite sayings was “Oh what a tangled web we weave when at first we start to deceive”. Uncle Vinny was a walking encyclopedia, he always had an answer with a solution for whatever question you asked. He even taught me how to build a surfboard which became one of the 1st boards ever built in Miami.
When I came home from service leave dressed in my blues, I proudly walked right into his house to show him I graduated from bootcamp and he asked me “Did you knock” and I said “No” and he immediately said “penitenz”. We had a good laugh after I did my penitenz in the corner on my knees with my hands on my head in my dress blues.
The day I was leaving for overseas, Uncle Vinny told me, “two things to remember; never volunteer for anything and there are no atheists in fox holes” which I later learned that there were no atheists in the aircraft either when we were about to crash.
He was one of the last of the Greatest Generation living his life honorably and the last of the true gentleman.
When he gets to heaven he’ll tell St. Peter, “one more GI checking in, I already served my time in hell”.
Frankie Kennedy
July 19, 2005
Though he will be greatly missed, Uncle Vinny will be forever with us
in our hearts and our memories. He lived a long, full life seasoned
with many great accomplishments and a large loving family. He will
always be revered as a wonderful conversationalist, debater, a wise
and caring man - not to mention a festive baritone. But above all, for
me, he will be remembered as a Great Uncle.
Thinking of you now and always,
Frankie
Yolanda C. Ferrara
July 19, 2005
I did write an entry on 7-13-05 but it never appeared. It was a Thanksgiving prayer to the Lord for the wonderful creation he created as my Father. I have known many joys from him but my greatest joy so far in this life is the day of January 25, 2004, when -- after 18 years of prayer -- my Father confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior! He was a giant "fish" to be caught! I did not do this alone, though, and for that I wish to express my utmost of thankfulness to all my wonderful friends who, through many, many years, prayed with me that my Father would one day get saved. To all of you, I want to say that I love you so very, very much. Only heaven can know my thankfulness, because you also will share in this most precious, to me, of salvations! God bless all of you! We will all see my Dad again, except this time he'll be telling all of us about Jesus! Halleluiah!
Sylva Neubauer
July 18, 2005
Our deepest sympathy to Phyllis; Shelly, Ed, Nick, Brian and Melissa Morris, and the Ferrara family. Our prayers are with all of you. May God heal your hearts and over time, replace your grief with fond, cherished memories. Love, Sylva, Ricky and Shellie Neubauer
Rebecca Morris
July 18, 2005
My deepest sympathies to the family. I never had the opportunity to meet Uncle Vinny but I heard many great stories from my best friend, Gina Berringer, and I know you are all experiencing a great loss. After reading about his life I am sorry I never got the chance to meet him but I am grateful for his service to our country. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Steven & Kathy Hathcock
July 18, 2005
To all of Vinny's family we send our deepest sympathies. Our hearts and minds are full of fond memories that will last forever in stories for years to come. Vinny left so many wonderful impressions from conversations sitting around the table on Sundays at his beloved sister Rose's house while Phylis, Rose and Mary were preparing delicious meals to feast on. Later they would move to the piano and fill the house with song.
All our love and respect to Phylis and the family.
Sincerly,
Steve & Kathy Hathcock
Bea Hathcock
July 18, 2005
My sincere condolances on the loss of a very special person. Vinny left his mark in this world with his family, his country, and God. The world was better for his being here and he will be truly missed.
Sincerly,
Bea Hathcock
Padget Cook ( Hobby)
July 15, 2005
To Yolanda and Family,
I was saddened to hear of your loss I have so many fond memories of your dad. As a teenager he served me my first raw clams and the most wonderful italian meals. I will always remember how much fun Yolanda and I had and how he teased us when we thought we had made alot of money selling the mangos by the roadside. God be with the family during this time. Padget Cook
Mary Ferrara
July 14, 2005
My sincerest condolences to all the family, as this also brings much sadness to me.
Love,
Aunt Mary
Gina Berringer
July 14, 2005
Thank you Uncle Vinny for sharing your brilliant mind and instilling your morals in us to follow. You always said, “There is no family like our family,” and we will carry on your traditions with love and pride. I have always been amazed with ALL of your accomplishments and there were many. The saying, "Not only am I Perfect, I'm Italian too," was certainly a true reflection of you. I am so proud to have had you as my uncle. You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
Love,
Gina
Grace and David Rumpel
July 14, 2005
To Yolanda Ferrara and family.
Our condolences about the loss of your father. Always remember, God is with you holding your hand and your heart through this very difficult time in your life. He never leaves us! His peace is with you. We will be praying for you and your family.
Melissa Morris
July 14, 2005
Thank-You Papa for everything you have taught & stood for. Your will always be remebered as a legend in the eyes of all the lives you have influenced. I love you Always.
camille berringer
July 14, 2005
The Berringer family expresses our condolences to the Ferrara, Morris family. We are so proud and honored to have shared all those special years with his tender love, care, laughter, wisdom, family traditions, teachings, with such an honorable "Star", our Uncle Vinny. Uncle Vinny will be truly missed but never forgotten. For all generations he will be honored and remembered and we will all always be so proud to say we were a part of his family.
Love, The Berringers
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