Obituary of John Lawrence Ferraro

LITTLE FALLS: Mr. John L. Ferraro of Little Falls, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2016 at Faxton St. Luke’s Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was survived by his wife and children. John was a lifelong resident of Little Falls; born on June 29, 1938 to Florence and Salvi Ferraro. John was educated in the Little Falls School System. During his first year at Fredonia, his father passed away. John left college and returned home to run the family business – Salvi’s Music Store with his mother. After the store closed, John returned to college and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music at The College of St. Rose in 1975 in Albany and his Master’s Degree in Music at Potsdam in 1978. John was employed by the Little Falls School System as the Music Director for instrumental music for the elementary grades up to and including the High School. He truly enjoyed working with his students and had very fond memories of the music program during his employment. He was responsible for the development of the football halftime shows, concert bands and the Jazz Rock ensemble. One of his greatest accomplishments was marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and placing within the top ten. His love of music was with him all his life. He participated in the Little Falls Military Band under his father’s direction, and years later served as the conductor for the band. Wednesday night band concerts in the park were very well attended and a highlight of his career. John was united in marriage to the former Audette Louise Lefebvre on April 15, 1961 at St. Mary’s Church. They enjoyed 55 years of wedded bliss. John was predeceased in death by his parents Florence and Salvi. He is survived by his wife, Audette Louise of Little Falls; Sons Jay and Marie Ferraro of Townsend, Delaware and Jeffrey Ferraro of Voorhees, NJ; Daughter Lynne Ferraro of Liverpool, NY; Brother and sister-in-law Salvi and Paulette Ferraro of Penfield, NY; Sister Rosalie Ferraro of New Hartford, NY; and Brother-in-law Rev. James Lefebvre of Albany, NY In keeping with John’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral mass. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Harry J. and Kevin E. Enea of the Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 W. Monroe Street, Little Falls, NY (315)823-2424 and will be held privately at the convenience of the family. The family would like to thank the nursing staff at Faxton St. Luke’s Hospital in Utica, the Mohawk Valley Health Care Center in Ilion, Dr. Scott Brehaut, Steve Sickler C-RNP and Dr. Robert Moglia for their outstanding care of John during his illness. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory can be made to Paw Prints, 208 Grandview Avenue, Frankfort, NY 13340.