Joseph Ferro

Giuseppe “Joe” Ferro was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 13, 1931 and died peacefully on January 3, 2022. Joe was the oldest son of Francesco and Rosa (Cassise) Ferro. He attended the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Eastern Michigan University, majoring in English.

Joe was married to his beloved Peggy for fifty three years until her passing in 2011. He was proud of their five children and contributed to each of their respective educations. Language, etymology, studying, and critical thinking were constant themes. Upon learning that one of his children had received an A- grade on an assignment, he suggested that the reason for the low grade was “too much socializing”.

His career included positions at RCA Corporation (Director of Contracts) and Teledyne CAE (Purchasing and Government Contracts). Joe enjoyed life in rural southeast Michigan. He drove a tractor and cared for their horses and large dogs. He planted pine trees and orchids, and tended to his tomato garden. He enjoyed swims in the pond on warm summer evenings.

Joe was frequently on champion teams at family Thanksgiving euchre tournaments. He worked daily crossword puzzles and stayed current on world events.

As a child born during the depression era, Joe valued thrift and frugality.  Gratitude, thankfulness, and humility were his characteristic traits. He lived and practiced his Catholic faith and was devoted to our Blessed Mother and St. Maria Faustina, as well as the Divine Mercy Chaplet, which he said daily.

Joseph is survived by his sister Mary Ann Giannetti (Larry); his children: Frank Ferro, Meg (Bob) Milano, Pat (Susanne) Ferro, and Charlie (Kristin) Ferro; eleven grandchildren: Angelo, Aaron, Mallory, Bobby, Maggie, JP, Amelia, Katy, Cecilia, Matthew, and Theodore; and four great grandchildren: Joey, Addie, Ben, and Gigi. In addition to his wife, Peggy, he was preceded in death by his daughter Mary Catherine Rusnak (Ron), his parents, and his brother, Frank Ferro.

A private Memorial Mass will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 4605 St. Anthony Road, Temperance, MI. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Joe’s name to the Carmelite Sisters DCJ at the following address: 2161 Leonard St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Online condolences to the family may be made at walkerfuneralhomes.com.