Deacon Raymond Ferrario, 87, who served at St. Michael’s Parish in Atlantic City for over 20 years, died Tuesday, April 6.
Born in Dunmore, Pa., to the late Biadgio and Croce (nee Pantano) Ferrario, he had been a resident of Atlantic City for most of his life. A 1941 graduate of Holy Spirit High School in Absecon, Deacon Ferrario entered the U.S. Army in September 1942.
He served with Company F of the 291st Infantry in Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennes, the Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star for combat action, the Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon and the European, African, and Middle Eastern Ribbons.
Following his time in the military, Deacon Ferrario began a 35-year career as a meat-cutter for A&P stores.
On October 4, 1980, he was ordained a deacon by Bishop George Guilfoyle, and was assigned to St. Michael, serving there as well as ministering to the sick in area hospitals, until his retirement in 2001.
Deacon Ferrario was a 50-year member of the Secular Franciscan Order.
He was predeceased by his son, Raymond Ferrario, Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lucy (nee Giardina); daughters Gerianne Williams (Randy) of Mt. Laurel and Christine Coulter (Daniel) of Galloway; grandchildren Christopher and Matthew Scull and Abigail and Stephen Williams; and brother, Salvatore Ferrario of Atlantic City.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, April 9 at St. Michael Church. The Rite of Committal was offered at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Donations in Deacon Ferrario’s memory may be made to: St. Michael’s Church, 10 North Mississippi Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, or Holy Redeemer Hospice, 6550 Delilah Road, Suite 501, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234.













