Dr. Dominick Peter Ferello

Dr. Dominick P. Ferello passed away on January 23rd, 2021 at the age of 66. Dominick was born on October 14th, 1954 to Peter and Grace Ferello in Brooklyn, NY. He spent most of his childhood growing up in Queens before moving to Shirley on Long Island before high school. He had no siblings, but he was very close to his aunts, uncles, and cousins who he considered his immediate family. He attended and graduated from William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach, NY and went on to study at Dowling College in Oakdale, NY where he was conferred a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Reading Teacher Education. After graduating, he became a teacher in various school districts throughout eastern Long Island. At his 10 year high school reunion, a good friend of his introduced him to a nice girl who later became his best friend and loving wife of 36 years, Vivian Castellano. They married in 1984 at St. John’s the Evangelist Catholic Church in Center Moriches and settled in Manorville near family. 
 
In 1991, they welcomed a son, Darren Peter whom they adored and then a short time later in 1994, their beautiful daughter Dana Ashley was born, who is the spitting image of Dominick’s mother Grace. The family moved to South Florida in 1994 to be near Dominick’s family who all relocated in earlier years. 
 
Dominick was a dedicated elementary and middle school teacher and reading specialist for 20 years before accepting a new challenge as an assistant principal at Seminole Middle School in Plantation, FL. He worked tirelessly to impact the lives of thousands of children and teachers all with the common goal that every child can succeed. In 1999, Dominick graduated from Nova Southeastern University with a Specialist's Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. He also worked at Village Elementary in Sunrise, FL before rising through the ranks to become a principal in Indian River County at Fellsmere Elementary. After serving various schools in Broward and Indian River counties, Dominick and Vivian decided to relocate to the Tampa area so that he could take on another adventure; opening Explorer K-8, a brand new school that accommodated over 2000 students in its opening year. During this time, he began to pursue further post secondary studies which ultimately led to  a Research Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Administration which was his greatest professional achievement. Using this prestigious degree, Dominick fulfilled another dream the didn’t know that he had — teaching those who would continue his legacy as teachers and administrators in the field. 
 
Dominick’s passion for education was only overshadowed by his love for his family and friends. He spent many weekends with his aunts, uncles, cousins, wife, and children surrounded by laughter and cups of hot tea with Lorna Doone cookies. Even the long distance from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa could not sever the strong bond that Dominick held with his close cousins and closest friends. Dominick will be loved, missed, and remembered by his devoted wife Vivian, adoring children Dana and Darren, daughter-in-law Deanna, cousins, sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and his four-legged family, Evie, Tino, and Rico. Dominick will always live on forever in our hearts.