Pedro M. Ferreira Ph.D., M.B.A.

Pedro M. Ferreira Ph.D., M.B.A. obituary, Wilmington, DE

Pedro Ferreira Obituary

Pedro M. Ferreira, age 66, passed away peacefully on November 15th, 2012 surrounded by his family and friends.

He was born in La Habana, Cuba on June 29, 1946. On March 23, 1962 he immigrated to the U.S. with his younger brother Henry as part of Operation Peter Pan, a United States Department program that managed the exodus of over 14,000 Cuban children to America. Months later, the program relocated him to Delaware, where, through the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, he resided with other Peter Pan boys at the "Casa de Sales" at 1300 North Broom street.

He graduated from Salesianum School and the University of Delaware. He earned Master and Ph.D. degrees from Temple University and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Ferreira; his brother Henry and wife Kathy, and his beloved nieces Christine Ferreira and Pamela Ferreira.

A talented and compassionate neuro-psychologist, Pedro touched many in the course of his life and was known for his kindness, generosity and loyalty to his patients, family and friends. His tenacity, integrity, high standards and old fashioned values set him apart.

Pedro was proud to be an American Citizen, was a member of the ROTC and Army Reserves. He never missed an opportunity to give back to his adoptive country.

He served on various local boards including the Salesianum Board of Trustees and helped to establish and volunteered his services to the Brain Injury Association.

He was a sought after bilingual expert witness in personal injury and criminal court matters and often provided pro-bono work for the courts to help disenfranchised minorities.

Pedro used his gifts not only to make a living but to freely provide compassionate aid. After the Mariel boatlift - a mass emigration of Cubans who departed from Cuba's Mariel Harbor for the United States between April and October of 1980, Pedro traveled to a camp at the Fort Indiantown Gap where many were interned and volunteered his services to the frightened and mentally ill housed there.

Pedro realized his dream of returning to his homeland of Cuba on three occasions for nostalgic as well as for humanitarian reasons. Thus, for the sake of the common people who have been so sadly burdened, he embarked on a tireless campaign to end the US embargo against the island.

Pedro will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched, but will never be forgotten.

Funeral services were held Monday, November 19th at Christ Church Christiana Hundred in Greenville. He was interred at All Saints cemetery. The family request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Salesianum School, 1801 N Broom St, Wilmington, DE 19802.

MealeyFuneralHomes.com

(302) 652-5913

Published by The News Journal on Nov. 21, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
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Pedro was a wonderful adjunct faculty member--he gave unstintingly to the graduate students of Widener's Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology. What a generous spirit! We shall miss him!
Virginia Brabender

Virginia Brabender

December 5, 2012

The world has lost a true warrior. I have lost a friend and colleague.

Alvin Turner

November 26, 2012

My husband and I were houseparents to Pedro, Enrique,Hector and the other Cuban Boys at Casa de Sales in Wilmington. Pedro had a leadership role in maintaining an enjoyable homelife for all of us. We have fine memories of our years spent at Casa.
Pedro was godfather to our son, Carl.
Margaret and Henry, we offer you our condolences and will keep Pedro in our prayers.

Gary and Kathleen Dolde

November 23, 2012

Pedro was a wonderful colleague, always willing to share whatever he knew. He had a great zest for life.
Joseph Zingaro, Ph.D.

November 22, 2012

This is a man I highly respected from the first time I met him. A true humanitarian and friend. God has blessed us with his presence in this life. We are better individuals because of him. Margaret, I feel your lost.

Deacon Marty Barrett

November 22, 2012

Had him at UD for Psych 101 fall of 90. Good prof...nice guy...God bless

D Rufo

November 21, 2012

Wonderful Person, Remembering you, Rest in Peace my friend.

Dave Marconi

November 21, 2012

Pedro was one of my best friends as we grew up at Casa in our newly adopted Delaware. We shared many good and lonely times. Most especially we shared all the wonderful friends we made as we transitioned to life without our parents in the U.S. We all had a very special bond, brothers in exile, and supported each other through it all. In Cuba, our mothers had become friends and helped each other during those difficult years. When my mom passed away in Havana in 1964, Pedro's mom was there with my family. When she later joined Pedro and Enrique in Delaware she provided me with many details of my mom's final days and passing... something that I will forever appreciate and hold dear to my heart.
My warm regards and wishes for peace and strength go to Pedro's wife, brother and family. A very sad day indeed..
Hector Garcia

November 21, 2012

I don't know if you remember me or not Margaret but I was one of your client in 1996. You made a big difference in my life and please know that you are in my prayers.

Rick Selfridge

November 21, 2012

What a wonderful person he was. He was the first guest on the first episode of my local TV show (no longer running) 10 years ago. I will always remember him. I extend my deepest sympathies to his family.

Cherisse Carlisle

November 21, 2012

Dr Ferrerira taught a class that I took at Widener University. He had so many interesting stories. I'm so sorry for your loss.

November 21, 2012

My deepest condolences to the family. It was an honor to have met him.

Margie Lopez

November 20, 2012

Estoy muy triste de saber que un buen amigo y bella persona ya no esta con nosotros. Pedro apoyaba a todos en su comunidad y agradezco sus consejos y ayuda con nuestros iniciativos con la asociación de comerciantes hispanos. I am so sorry to hear of the passing of a good friend and a beautiful person. Pedro has done so much to help our community and personally assisted with the launch of the Hispanic Business Association of DE. My condolences to the family his loss will be felt by many!

Maria Cabrera

November 20, 2012

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