Robert "Bob" Ferro

Celebrating the Life of Robert "Bob" Ferro

Sunrise  September 8, 1932           Sunset  October 27, 2024

Robert Ferro was born September 8, 1932 in Belleville, New Jersey to David and Catherine Ferro. They soon moved to Greenwich Village, where he grew up with his now deceased but dearly loved and admired older brothers, Norman and Ronald,

Bob enjoyed playing neighborhood street sports with Norm and Ron, like stickball. And he loved attending Yankee games with his dad. As an adult, he kept records of NYY seasons using copies of newspaper calendars to fill in all the details of any given game. And those records still exist(!).

Bob attended St. Anthony (grammar) School and Textile High. At Textile, he began taking drum lessons and realized what music and rhythm meant to him. Later, he pursued those studies at Manhattan School of Music, which led to a lifelong vocation in the music industry.

In 1952, he was drafted into the U.S. Army as a bandsman. He then was given a rifle and proudly and honorably served on active duty in the Korean War trying to protect his fellow soldiers from harm along the Imjin River, which separates our South Korean allies from North Korea.

Back stateside, Bob worked night clubs, and his Bob Ferro Trio was The Living Room house band working with luminaries such as Tony Bennett, Vic Damone and Bobby Short. Years later his Trio worked at Dangerfield's with talents like Al Jarreau.

As nightclubbing wound down, Bob became a copyist who handwrote music scores for many pop vocalists and TV and radio commercials. This continued for many years. At the same time he moved to Bogota and  became involved in local politics.

Bob was a Democratic district representative for 30+ years and served on the Bogota council for almost 3 terms. He fought for tenant rights, equal protection for special needs folks and to end homelessness, hunger and poverty by working with Hands Across America and other advocacy organizations.

Simultaneously Bob served close to 20 years as a Sargeant at Arms in the New Jersey Assembly and Senate. He was sponsored for both positions by former Assemblywoman and Senator Loretta Weinberg.

Bob leaves to cherish his memory: a devoted wife and friend of 58 years, Michelle Rupar ; daughters and spouses: Dawn Ferro, Robin (Jim) Grieco, Lisa (Dave) Luczynski; grandchildren and spouses: Orion (Keri) Hunke; Leah Rei; Jordan (Aly) Hunke; Heidi, Juliana Luczynski; great grandchildren: Sutter, Addison, Ollie Hunke; Lila, Watson, Asher Hunke and Maddie Rice; sisters-in-law Jean Ferro, Nina Rupar, Nikki England; nephews and families: Michael Ferro (Margaret, Christopher); Steven Ferro; Ronald Ferro Jr [Sam, Carly (deceased)]; Richard Ferro (Dorothy); Philip Ferro (Agnes, Sophia, Daniel); and  a host of treasured friends.

Bob lived his life with devotion, passion, determination, grace, dignity and humor. He will be sorely missed, but we are all better for having known him, his warm sweet smile and the direct gaze of his truth telling blue eyes. Rest in peace, dear husband, dear friend to us all.

Visiting Sunday November 10th 2024 2-6 pm. Funeral service at Petrik Funeral Home, 140 Palisade Ave., Bogota on Sunday at 5 pm.

In lieu of flowers, your donation  to Alzheimers Association or Wounded Warriors will be appreciated.