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Henry Ferrante Obituary
West Palm Beach - Henry (Rick) Ferrante, 77 years of age, a resident of West Palm Beach Florida and formerly of Providence Rhode Island, died on November 21, 2020. He was born in Providence, the son of Henry and Betty Ferrante, both deceased.
Rick attended Norwood Elementary, Aldrich Jr. High, and Warwick Veterans High, receiving a Bachelors degree in Business from Bryant College in Providence.
Early on in his youth, Rick had already developed a very high work ethic completing any job offered with conviction. Whatever earned him money, whether it was waxing cars, gardening, raking leaves, shoveling snow, delivering newspapers, or home improvements, he did it so that by age 12, Rick already had his own savings account.
He worked in the accounting department of his uncle John's textile factory. Rick also worked at the first fully-automated U.S. Post Office in the country located in Providence. A true entrepreneur, he purchased and very successfully operated a Norgetown laundromat and dry cleaning business in Riverside Rhode Island as well as acquiring residential rental units along the way. He was a great mentor, serving as a Big Brother to many under-privileged youths in the area.
Rick served his country by joining the Air Force and was stationed, amongst other places, in Japan and Turkey. He especially enjoyed his time spent overseas learning about other cultures and cuisines.
Rick had a very eclectic musical taste but his favorites were Jazz, the Big Band Sounds (1940's) and Caribbean and Latin-American music. He studied trumpet under Art Tancredi who had played in the famous Horace Heidt Band.
He loved football and watching movies at home, viewing his favorite ones many times over and he could recite the famous lines of those movies. Rick was an avid reader of history, religions, politics and many other topics. Earlier on he enjoyed casinos and the races. He especially enjoyed going to the gym, using the pool and going for brisk walks.
Because Rick was extremely generous, one of his biggest pleasures was introducing family and friends to his favorite restaurants. He loved food and he loved hosting people in his home. He had food shipped from Rhode Island to Florida so he could share it with family and friends.
Rick had many wonderful qualities but at the top of the list was the manner in which he connected with people. He had a magnetic personality and was always meeting new people. Rick was a fierce friend. He was a good listener and knew how to be available for his friends in need. Rick always knew just how to help with his great sense of humor. He deeply cared for those he loved.
Rick is survived by and will be remembered with so much love by his brother Richard Ferrante (Los Angeles, California), his cousins Angela DeCesaris (Johnston, Rhode Island), Camille Pitocco (The Woodlands, Texas), David Cross (Tacoma, Washington), Tim Cross (Lexington, Massachusetts), and his closest friend of many years Michael Vincent (Worcester, Massachusetts).
Because of the love and goodness Rick gave, he touched us all so deeply and uniquely and he will remain in our hearts and minds forever.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Henry Ferrante
Mike Tillett
March 17, 2021
My name is Mike Tillett and I was Ricky's CPA for many years. He was a kind-hearted soul who would always have a smile on his face and was quick to share a joke. His laughter was contagious. He would always ask me to discuss tax strategies in the event he won the lottery and he loved to discuss Finance and the stock market.....especially those high yielding dividend stocks :) He also loved to read and did a book exchange with certain fellow members in the gym at LA Fitness (where we met many moons ago). I must add that a good Italian dish was always on his mind......Anthony's fire-coal Pizza was one of his favorites which was a motivator for his working out in the gym. The world has lost a gentle ever smiling person but he left a very positive impact on may hearts. He will be missed. Condolences to the family and May God bless you all with the peace, quiet and comfort needed at this time.
Richard Ferrante
March 8, 2021
I AM RICHARD FERRANTE (KNOWN IN R.I. AS DICKY) RICK'S BROTHER.
WE GREW UP IN NORWOOD R.I.
SURROUNDED BY WONDERFUL PEOPLE AND WE LOVED OUR LITTLE TOWN. I OFTEN REFLECT UPON IT WITH NOSTALGIA. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE INCREDIBLE RELATIVES-AUNTS,UNCLES,COUSINS,SECOND COUSINS ETC.I LONG FOR THOSE DAYS WHEN WE WOULD GET TOGETHER FOR GREAT CONVERSATIONS AND ALWAYS GREAT FOOD. THAT'S WHERE RICK AND I GOT OUR PASSION FOR FOOD. WE KNEW EARLY ON THAT WE HAD THE BEST MOTHER ANY TWO BROTHERS COULD HAVE AND WE WERE REMINDED OF IT BY OUR FRIENDS WHO ALSO LOVED HER VERY MUCH. IN MY EARLY YEARS, I REALIZED I WAS BLESSED TO HAVE THE BEST BROTHER EVER. HE WAS MY IDOL, HERO,MENTOR AND BEST FRIEND. OUR FATHER SAT US DOWN AND MADE US LOOK EACH OTHER IN THE EYES SAYING WE SHARED THE CLOSEST BLOOD LINES OF ANY TWO PEOPLE. THAT CEMENTED OUR CLOSE RELATIONSHIP FOREVER. THERE ARE 6,000 PLUS FERRANTES IN THE USA BUT WE ARE NOT RELATED TO ANY OF THEM HERE NOR IN ITALY
WE WERE THE LAST OF OUR PARTICULAR FERRANTE FAMILY AND NOW I AM THE LAST FERRANTE.
IT IS INCUMBENT UPON ME TO KEEP RICK'S LEGACY ALIVE FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE. THAT IS WHY I APPRECIATE SO MUCH WHAT YOU KIND PEOPLE HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT HIM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANKS TO THOSE PEOPLE WHO WILL WRITE ABOUT HIM IN THE FUTURE. BY REMEMBERING HIS GREATNESS,UNIQUENESS,
HUMILITY, SINCERITY AND HIS LOVE FOR US, HE WILL BE WITH US FOREVER . THANK YOU FROM RICK
AND THANK YOU FROM ME.
Stephen Puleo
February 28, 2021
Love my Buddy & will always miss him & his quirky ways!
He was always very health conscious,he loved the latest superfood, be it chia seeds,maringa,wheat grass, raw garlic or Kambucha.
Always ahead of the curve: We could get to Anthony’s Runway for lunch & back in a flash like he was driving the getaway car for some mafioso just like in the gangster movies that he loved
Rick was a STAND UP GUY!
Always there for me!
Stephen Puleo/ Michelle Boutin (friends forever)
Ruby Finley
February 25, 2021
My deepest condolences to the Family and Friends of Rick. I met Rick some years back when I starting working out at the pool. We became really good friends, he would get in the pool with me and we would do our laps together. Rick loved to eat, he loved to visit all kind of restaurants. He told me once, the reason he worked out so much was "so he could eat" Lol. Rick was so conscious of eating healthy he turned me on to flaxseed and all kind of healthy stuff to drink. One day after our workout he invited my over to his place to make me he new green drink. Well I went to his, place he blended the drink for me to taste and I drink it! OMG that was the worst tasting stuff I've had, but I did tell him that. He said how was it, oh it was good I said. Then he said let me make you some to take home, I said no thank you, I'm good:)
I'm going to miss Rick and our workout times together. R.I.P. my friend!
Ruby Finley
February 25, 2021
My deepest condolences to the Family and Friends of Rick. I met Rick some years back when I starting working out at the pool. We became really good friends, he would get in the pool with me and we would do our laps together. Rick loved to eat, he loved to visit all kind of restaurants. He told me once, the reason he worked out so much was "so he could eat" Lol. Rick was so conscious of eating healthy he turned me on to flaxseed and all kind of healthy stuff to drink. One day after our workout he invited my over to his place to make me he new green drink. Well I went to his, place he blended the drink for me to taste and I drink it! OMG that was the worst tasting stuff I've had, but I did tell him that. He said how was it, oh it was good I said. Then he said let me make you some to take home, I said no thank you, I'm good:)
I'm going to miss Rick and our workout times together. R.I.P. my friend!
Ruby Finley
Ruby Finley
February 25, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
February 24, 2021
We will greatly miss our good friend Rick. We enjoyed our hours sitting by the pool discussing food, travel, the airforce, the laundromat, sports betting ,politics, religion, etc etc . We were never at a loss of topics.We would laugh together and he would always say “we agree to disagree “. We shared his love of Turkey and he was so happy for us when we traveled there. I was disappointed he never had the opportunity to returned. We even talked about traveling there together but...... Rick lives on in our memories and will always bring a smile to our faces. RIP our friend. The Carbones
Sebastian Cardone Jr.
February 22, 2021
I’ve known Rick since I was very little. He’s been friends of my family including my dad and grandfather for years. I’ve even worked with him. He used to come to work hours before he was supposed really early in the morning. He just had that great of a work ethic.
Rick was a character first and foremost. He really brightened up the pool when he showed up. He would talk to literally anyone and would always be friendly to them. He was always willing to help anyone. He lived a long successful life and he never once bragged about it. He was a humble man.
He would always show up with his bright colored pool gloves and do his laps. I always talked football and politics with him, which he was very passionate about.
He always had a video or a restaurant that he recommended. He was a restaurant connoisseur. He knew practically every restaurant in South Florida. He always invited me to go even if it meant going to Fort Lauderdale. I always joked with him that I wouldn’t drive all the way down there for dinner.
I’m going to miss the passion and energy he brought to the pool every day. Farewell, Rick. This neighborhood will never be the same without you.
My thoughts are with his friends and family.
David Congdon
February 22, 2021
Rick was a good friend and we grew up in Norwood. He would always help others when he could. I will miss him and he will be sadley missed.
Linda Cummiskey
February 22, 2021
My thoughts and prayers are with Rick's family and Michael. I hope all the great memories you have will bring you all comfort.
I knew Rick through Michael and YES he was the best friend a friend could have.
Warmest thoughts
Linda Cummiskey
JOHN R BROSCO
February 21, 2021
My deepest condolences to the family! I went to school with Henry and his brother many, many years ago! I remember them well! We grew up in Norwood section of Warwick, RI and as time goes by we all get separated and go our journeys! May he RIP! GOD BLESS!
Gail Diodati
February 21, 2021
Remember him well and all his fine qualities as a loving friend. I worked with him at norgetown and we certainly had alot of laughs. I will smile when I think of all these good times. 40 years ago and I still can see his beautiful smile. RIP Rick.
Richard & Michelle Murray
February 20, 2021
What a beautiful tribute to our dear friend Rick. In all the years we knew him, Rick was never one to elaborate on his successes and accomplishments, or on all of the wonderful and thoughtful things he did for others in his life. While we did know first hand how his love and kindness touched us, it was heartening to learn of the years he spent mentoring underprivileged children. And to learn he played the trumpet! What lovely insight into a man we thought we knew well. Rick will be sorely missed for his unique sense of humor. He brightened many of our days with good jokes that still manage to bring a smile to our faces even now. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones. The neighborhood is a sadder place without him in it.
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