ROBERT FERRO

ROBERT FERRO - MALIBU, Calif. - Robert Ferro, of Malibu, Calif., died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015, while on a business trip. Born in New York, N.Y., on May 15, 1952, Robert was the oldest child of Ernest and Zita Ferro. Robert received a Ph.D. in 1985 and an M.S. in 1977, both in Electrical Engineering from the University of Vermont. He received a B.S.E.E., with honors, from the University of Notre Dame in 1974. Prior to joining the Aerospace Corp in 1991, he worked for Hughes Research Laboratories and IBM. Rob was the author of more than 17 professional publications and numerous patents. In his private life, Rob was a seasoned traveler and avid photographer who visited many places throughout the world. His favorite destination, however, was Yosemite National Park in his adopted home state of California. There he found a real connection with the natural beauty of the park and a calming peace. Rob was a wonderful person, whose incredible intellect was only matched by his compassion and caring for others. He had many lifelong friends for whom he cared deeply. He worked hard to keep in touch with many of them and visited whenever the opportunity arose. Often, when traveling home to Vermont, Rob would go out of his way to see friends and family all over the Northeast. Rob was the glue that kept our family together. Armed with his omnipresent camera, he made it a point to stay in touch with all of us including our aunts, uncles and many cousins. You could easily keep informed of the happenings within our extended family simply by talking with Rob. Additionally, he often served as the voice of reason when the need arose and he strove for harmony and understanding. To say that Rob was the favorite uncle to all of his nieces and nephews is an understatement. All of them looked forward to spending time with him and especially going on their "shopping" trips together. He will be dearly missed in so many ways and it simply cannot be overstated how much he meant to them all. Rob also had a huge capacity to help those less fortunate than himself. He often used his personal resources to come to the aid of those in need and expected nothing in return. What he got was the love and admiration of many. The world could use more people like Rob. His loss leaves a tremendous void in the lives of his family and many friends. He is survived by his siblings, Ernest Ferro and wife, Sandy, and his sons, Matthew and Peter, of Austin, Texas; Joseph Ferro and wife, Jan, of Williston; James Ferro and wife, Lynn, and their son, David, and their daughter, Amy, of Essex Center; Joanne Limanek and husband, James, and their daughters, Elaine, Lisa, and Caroline, of Shelburne; Paul Ferro and wife, Angela, and their daughters, Olivia and Sydney, of South Burlington; and last but not least, Suzanne Pacheco and husband, John, of Dripping Springs, Texas. He also spent time with and cared for his aunt, Olive, and her daughters, Ann and Mary; aunt, Anna Ferro; aunt, Marguerite Ferro, and her son, John, and his family; aunt, Cathy and uncle, Tim Chichester, and family; the Tonner family; the Tursick family; cousin, Sheryl Ferro; and friends, Maureen Mazursky, Carol Khalsa, Bill Boyle, Andy Seiple, and the Kenney family. His parents, Ernest and Zita, predeceased Robert. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, at 10 a.m. at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Park Cemetery, South Burlington. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ready Funeral Home, South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington. To send online condolences please visit www.readyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a donation to the charity of your choice.