Obituary: Salvatore "Sam" Ferrara, 93, of Middlebury

Salvatore "Sam" Ferrara, 93, of Middlebury, formerly of 119 Enoch St., Waterbury, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Saturday April 14, 2012, at VITAS Innovative Hospice Care Unit at St. Mary’s Hospital after a courageous fight.

Ferrara was born in Waterbury on December 20, 1918, son of the late Giuseppe and Carmela (D’Agostino) Ferrara. He proudly served in World War II as a staff sergeant for the U.S. Army.

He worked as a tool and dye maker for Chase Brass and Copper for 27 years until 1972. He then worked maintenance for the Red Bull Inn, while self-employed as a painter and wallpaper hanger for many years.

Ferrara was a jack of all trades and could fix anything and everything. He bowled in the Corado Club League at Lakewood Lanes for many years. He and his wife, Olga, enjoyed ballroom dancing throughout their 59 years of marriage.

Besides his beloved wife, Ferrara leaves a son, Michael A. Ferrara and his wife, Sherry, with whom he lived in Middlebury; a daughter, Carmella DeStefano, and her fiancé, Angelo Vaccaro of Waterbury; five grandchildren: Melissa and Paul DeStefano, of Waterbury, and Chelsea, Kimberly, and Nicholas Ferrara of Middlebury; a daughter-in-law, Cheryl Ferrara of Watertown and her two children, Lisa Donahue and Shelby Tartaglia; and several nieces and nephews. 

Ferrara was predeceased by his son, Joseph T. Ferrara, and two brothers, Pasquale and John Ferrara.

Calling Hours: 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 16, at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury.

Funeral: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 17, from Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home to for an 11:30 a.m. mass.

Burial with full military honors: Following at Calvary Cemetery.

Ferrara's family would like to sincerely thank Karen Donato and the entire staff of VITAS Innovative Hospice Care at St. Mary’s Hospital for their comfort, care, and compassion provided to Ferrara and his family during his brief stay.

Memorial Contributions: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Connecticut, 25 Camp Avenue Wilton, CT 06897.