'The Most Beautiful Soul': Farmingdale's Bea Ferrari Mourned At Funeral

FARMINGDALE, NY — Beatrice "Bea" Ferrari was laid to rest on Wednesday morning.

Ferrari, 77, of Farmingdale, a retired teacher, was killed in Thursday's bus crash in Orange County. The bus, carrying the Farmingdale High School marching band, crashed and tumbled down a 50-foot ravine. Ferrari routinely served as a chaperone on the trips, even 17 years after retiring.

Gina Pellettiere, 43, of Massapequa, was also killed in the crash. She was the school's band director.

Ferrari's funeral mass was at St. Killian's RC Church, at 485 Conklin St. Farmingdale.

Ferrari's funeral mass can be watched here.

Her daughters, Dina Ferrari-Lopresto and Angela Ferrari-Aldieri, spoke about their mother to a packed church.

"There are no words. We all feel the impact she had on our lives," Dina said.

Ferrari grew up as a proud Brooklynite where all her family members lived within a block. She grew up, met her husband, Renato, who had just returned from serving in Vietnam. They had two daughters together.

Dina recalls the Sunday dinners, gathering of friends, and pizza parties her family had. Ferrari cultivated a love of learning and arts within her daughters.

"She built my confidence as a student and taught me the skills I would need for my life," Dina said. "She was my confidant, my supporter, my defender, my best friend. We are who we are because of her."

Ferrari began her career with the Farmingdale School District as a substitute before eventually moving up the ranks to teach 10th grade global studies. She taught that until her retirement.

"She didn't give up on the students who were having a hard time," Dina said. "She made sure everyone got through to get their diploma."

Angela said her mother had class pets, including a fish tank with one fish per class period she taught, as well as a talking parakeet.

Ferrari was responsible for helping her students get through the global studies regents exam — one of the toughest tests of the time, as it covered two years of material.

"She was a master teacher," Dina said. "She loved the students with all her heart. Her dynamic presence made history come alive."

Angela said her mother remembered all her students.

Ferrari's classroom just so happened to be across the hall from the band room. She struck a deal with the band director of the time to have the student-musicians play quietly when she was giving an exam, and the two became great friends. She began chaperoning band camp 31 years ago.

Enter Gina Pellettiere — or "Ms. P," as she was known.

Pellettiere asked Ferrari to continue chaperoning band camp, and Ferrari obliged.

"Mom loved Gina like another daughter," Angela said. "They would laugh and have such fun."

Ferrari began having knee issues and considered retiring from going to band camp each year.

"Gina wouldn't have it," Angela said. "She said, 'Bea, we'll get a golf cart for you.' And that is how the B-Mobile was born."

The B-Mobile was Ferrari's golf cart that she drove around the grounds of band camp in Greeley, Pennsylvania.

"She loved and looked forward to band camp," Angela said.

Ferrari got to accomplish her "dream" last year, Angela said, when she got to chaperone band camp while two of her grandsons, Andy and Luke, were students in the marching band. She never missed any of the school functions of any of her grandsons: Andrew, Luke, Harrison and Jagger.

Since the crash, Farmingdale students from across the years have mourned Ferrari and Pellettiere.

"My mom was a light," Angela said. "Gina was a light. They will be remembered forever. Mom was the most beautiful soul. Thoughtful, understanding, creative, full of faith, and love of God. Her time with us was cut short. I know Mom had wanted to be with us more, but God had other plans for her."