Daniel M. Ferrigno

Daniel Mathew Ferrigno
December 22, 1957 - July 1, 2025
Daniel Mathew Ferrigno, a cherished son, loving brother, and devoted uncle, cousin and friend, passed away on July 1, 2025 at the age of 67.
Born on December 22, 1957, in Somers Point, New Jersey, Dan spent his early childhood growing up on the Tuckahoe Wildlife Management Area, which fostered his love of the outdoors. He grew up hunting and fishing with his father and brother, and would go on to dedicate his career to the principles of wildlife management and the sportsmen and women of the state.
In the 1970's, Dan moved to Monmouth County, where his love of the ocean, beach and surfing grew. Dan attended Long Branch High School, where he met his lifelong friend Sam, and graduated in 1976. Dan went on to attend college at Stockton State College (Stockton University) where he received a BS in Biology. Dan then worked for the State of New Jersey's Fish and Wildlife Department beginning in the early 1980's, where he would spend several years as the agency's Federal Aid Coordinator, prior to leading the state's Deer Project. He ended his career, after close to 40 years, as an integral part of the Central Region Bureau of Land Management and as a Deputy Conservation Officer, before retiring in 2015.
While Dan dedicated his work, and much of his life, to hunting and fishing, his greatest love was the beach and the ocean. Whether surfing, playing beach volleyball, going out in his ocean kayak, hanging with his friends and family, or just looking at the girls, Dan was always most at home on the beach. This love would take him all over the world to surf, snorkel, and just soak in the views. Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand, Cape Hatteras, NC or just his beloved Jersey Shore beaches in Monmouth Beach, North Long Branch, or Atlantic City.
Dan loved to garden and had a huge vegetable plot that took up most of his backyard. He had the greenest of thumbs and always shared his prolific harvest of zucchini, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, herbs, you name it, with family, friends, and even his neighbors.
Dan loved his house, and put his heart into every renovation done over the 25 years he lived there. Whether windows, doors, floors, siding, painting, or plumbing, there wasn't anything he couldn't do, especially with the help of his cousin Dan Brister. Weekends would find them first at Miller's in Long Branch for breakfast, then back to the house to start the next project.
Dan had a heart of gold and the best sense of humor. Whether is was Thursday night Chinese dinners with Mom and George, then back to their house for homemade hot fudge sundaes, trips to the boardwalk with his niece Lily, traveling the world with his best friend Sam, or just spending time with his intensely loyal circle of friends, Dan was there when you needed him and he was always willing to help anyone who needed it.
While Dan's life came to a close way too soon, he lived it to the fullest while he was able, and was well loved by his family, friends, and pretty much anyone who had the privilege to meet him. He will be missed more than words can say.
Dan was predeceased by his father Frederick Ferrigno and his brother Fred Ferrigno. He is survived by his mother Delores Young, his stepfather George Young, his sisters Karen Ferrigno, Audrey St. Laurent, and Betsy Ware and her husband Bill, his nephews Fred Ferrigno and his wife Jessica and their children, Chuck Ferrigno and his wife Julie and their daughter and grandchildren, his nieces Kristina St. Laurent and Lily Ware, his cousin Dan Brister and his wife Kim, his loyal and close friends Sam Goldenberg, George Hunt, and Ron (Sped) Spadavecchia, as well as many other cousins and friends.
A viewing will be held on July 9, 2025 at Silverton Memorial Funeral Home from 12pm to 3pm, with a memorial service immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Surfrider Foundation www.surfrider.org in Dan's name.