'Jack It Up' Bench Recalls Beloved Seal Beach Resident

SEAL BEACH, CA — It's been just over one year since Lisa Mosa lost her father, Jack Anthony Ferraro, 74. His death was sudden, unexpected, and left a hole in the culture of Seal Beach that Mosa and her family intended to fill.

Ferraro started in the meatpacking business in Temple City, where he lived and worked for 25 years. There, he sold packaging and was self-employed his whole life. When Ferraro retired, he relocated to Seal Beach to be close to his daughter. A go-getter, Ferraro was mostly known for bringing loads and loads of food everywhere he went, Mosa says. He was a frequent guest of Bistro St. Germain and The Grill, where he could enjoy a glass of red wine, and later, smoke cigars with friends.

"For ten years, you could find him on Main Street, most nights," she tells Patch. "He befriended everyone at Bistro and became like a second dad to the owners. He became everyone's dad."

At home, he was beloved by his large family and six grandchildren. Holidays were about food, laughter and bringing those feelings to others, she says. Many people in Seal Beach don't have family, parents, close to them. Ferraro filled the role of Italian 'Godfather.'

Soon after his passing she became acutely aware that others also missed her father, many of them, deeply.

After his memorial service, mourners gathered under his "Cigar Tree" to share a cigar and remember him. She was amazed by how many people were there.

That is when the idea of a bench came to mind.

After 20 years of living in Seal Beach, Mosa remains a stylist at Recharge At Electric, specializing in curl. She often seen out on Main Street, like her dad, greeting others and sharing conversation.

Main Street seemed the perfect location for her father's bench.

City Hall was extremely helpful in getting the plaque organized the bench, she tells us. Three areas were selected, and she knew Main Street would be her father's first choice. Upon the approval of the business nearby, the city got to work and created the bench.

The quote on the plaque, "Jack it Up," is distinctly Jack Ferraro, she tells us.

"It started at the celebration of his life," Mosa says. "The term 'Jacked up' might be thought of as a negative thing, but my brother decided, in dad's memory, let's say 'Jack it Up' instead of cheers!"

The phrase stuck, both the toast and now memorialized on the bench plaque. Mosa says the phrasing inspires a laugh, and more conversation. Something Ferraro would have loved.

"Only about 30 of us knew the joke of my brother's toast," she laughed through tears. "It's a part of my dad that is still there and will always be there. I think he would be moved by how many people who loved him."

Over 300 people attended Jack Ferraro's celebration of life in Seal Beach.

"I never realized how many people he became friends with while he was here," she says.

So if you see Jack's bench, pull up a seat, drink in the moment, and spark up a conversation. Make real-life connections, and celebrate what matters, the love we leave behind.