Born April 17, 1928, in New Orleans, Peter’s life journey began in Hammond, LA, the first of three children born to hard-working strawberry farmers Anthony “Tony” and Mary P. Ferrara. Peter had an interest in farming but was also interested in sports, electronics, and medicine going on to graduate from Hammond High School in 1946 at the completion of the eleventh grade. Due to the growing need for able young men to assist with U.S. War efforts in the Pacific as well as rising aggression from the north in South Korea, Peter didn’t hesitate to offer his service when needed and volunteered to join the U.S. Navy on August 17, 1948.
Peter’s Naval career would begin in San Diego, CA, where Basic Training, Radio School - Class A (December 1948 - April 1949), and preliminary exercises were conducted. Peter’s passion for electronics prevailed as he was assigned to Radio I aboard the USS Valley Forge (CV 45) for the next three years while earning the rank of Radioman 1st Class. The new Essex-class aircraft carrier nicknamed “Happy Valley” was commissioned in November 1946, too late for duty in WWII, however, as the flagship of the U.S. Seventh Fleet the Valley Forge would eventually launch the first carrier air strike of the Korean War from her flight deck on July 3, 1950, and also make history thereafter as the world’s first combat air strike that utilized jet aircraft. Peter’s three-year commitment would be extended another year due to continued enemy engagement while traveling up and down the Korean coastline. Though seeming menial in terms of travel, the Valley Forge would cover a distance equal to two times around the world during combat operations in the Korean War. While Peter was aboard, the Valley Forge would make history once again as the first U.S. Carrier to return to Korea for a third combat deployment. Peter was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (3 Battle Stars), China Service Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, and Honorable Discharge Button along with being recommended for reenlistment while receiving an Honorable Discharge after four years of service in the U.S. Navy on August 13, 1952. Peter would later receive the Veterans Honor Medal from the State of Louisiana for his service in the Korean War. Peter witnessed much during his military commitment, from full combat operations to visiting distant lands and ports of call, however, the treasures from his military service became his pride for the U.S. Navy and his country as well as the life-long friendships he developed, maintained, and spoke of till his last days.
Peter returned to Hammond upon completion of his Navy service and enrolled in classes at LSU in Baton Rouge. His interest in electronics and medicine fueled his studies, however, he would return to Hammond and marry former high school classmate Vera L. Pizzolato on September 6, 1953. Having traveled abroad and excited with the opportunities in the young thriving city just forty-five miles west of his Hammond farmlands, Peter and Vera chose to settle in Baton Rouge to begin their careers and family. In 1954, their first child Julianne was born followed by siblings Susan (1957), Peter Jr. (1959) and Ricky (1961). Peter worked for some time in construction as a sheetmetal apprentice but transitioned into door-to-door insurance sales becoming a sales leader for Metropolitan and State Farm insurance companies. Peter then moved into transportation industry sales for England and Ryder Truck Lines and later became Terminal Manager for Bestway Express while his electronics hobby turned part-time TV repair business, Pete’s TV Service, began to flourish. Peter would ultimately choose his electronics passion as his full-time occupation while caring for first wife Vera of 24 years until her untimely passing at age 49 in 1978.
Thereafter, Peter continued to grow Pete’s TV Service for some time until eventually turning back to the transportation industry becoming Terminal Manager for Bowman Motor Freight. During this time and while trying to adapt to his newfound single-parent role, Peter would meet Marilyn “Sue” Frank Knight through single-parent group meetings and events. Sue, an elementary schoolteacher at Lanier Elementary and his junior by ten years, had perhaps brought new life back to Peter or at least a different outlook on life itself. The relationship between Peter and Sue would eventually result in a 39-year marriage that began on November 14, 1981. Peter continued to work as Terminal Manager for Bowman Motor Freight while beginning to scale back Pete’s TV Service operations in preparation for his early retirement at age 59 in 1987. Peter would also begin almost daily travels between Baton Rouge and the farmlands of Hammond for visitation with his aging parents while vegetable farming in a limited capacity.
Peter found the early retirement years especially memorable while beginning short-distance RV travels which continued to expand as Ricky entered LSU and Sue’s children Shari, Chuck, and Kara began to exit their teen years. Peter and Sue had also recently reconnected with younger brother Vic “Butsie” Ferrara and wife Ida, along with friends made during their single-parent years and several Navy buddies across the U.S. and began a mix of local and extended RV travels. Annual Valley Forge reunions eventually turned into smaller Valley Forge Radio I-III reunions at different host sites across the U.S., along with months-long travels to the Florida Keys, the East Coast, Canada, the Midwest, the West Coast, North West, and Alaska, as well as almost annual attendance at Veteran’s Day week celebrations in Branson, MO, for some time. Peter made new friends across the country at almost every stop during his RV travels, some of which would contact him if he were a day late for his routine stay in the area. Peter and those considered as part of The Greatest Generation of Americans, in one way or another, also seemed to have realized that a life is made to live, and Peter and his friends lived theirs to the fullest. Peter and Sue also became fond of cats at some time and carried their feline friends with them on their RV travels to eventually maintain five at home along with several strays he would ultimately take-in as pets in his final years.
Peter loved his weekly buffet and gaming trip to the Casino as well as random weekend trips to remote Casinos while enjoying great food and perfecting his strategies in an attempt to beat the odds against favorite slot machines. Peter loved fishing, camping, and the outdoors, but a simple park bench on the front porch became all that was needed in his final years to capture yet another day. Peter was also a proud sailor who would forever defend his Navy Pilots and SEALS as well as the mighty ships and armaments as the ultimate in fighting men and machines!
Peter was extremely proud of his LSU Tigers but held the Midshipmen of NAVY as a close second. The annual ARMY-NAVY football game was a Super Bowl to Peter, and one would wonder who he would pull for had LSU played NAVY at any time. Peter was especially proud to witness his LSU Tigers overpowering all its opponents in a once-in-a-lifetime season in route to the 2019 National Championship. His Tigers would rewrite the history books with an undefeated season and a Heisman trophy winning quarterback at the helm of his beloved LSU. Peter loved his Navy shipmates Menno G. “Spike” Dammer, Sam Werner, and Fred Eargle, and the many others who served but had gone before him. He was very fond of neighbors, Cherry McCullough, Robert F. “Bob” Gallagher, and the late Leon M. Wells along with dear friends Bill and Bernie Mills and Mary Ann Conlee. Peter especially loved his family, wives Vera and Sue respectively, his children, step-children, and spouses, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and was overwhelmed to learn of the recent birth of his great-grandson Eli Robert Ferrara that would carry-on his surname and legacy.
Peter was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars and past member of Parents without Partners (PWP), Single Adults of Baton Rouge (SABR), The Grand Squares, Cruising Cajuns, Good Sam, and Coast to Coast.
Peter is survived by wife, Marilyn “Sue” Frank Ferrara; daughter, Julianne F. Mautner and husband Thomas of North Richland Hills, TX; daughter, Susan F. Reed and husband Brent of Mandeville, LA; son, Peter A. Ferrara, Jr., and wife Cindy of Zachary, LA; son, Ricky J. Ferrara and wife Karen of Baton Rouge, LA; step-daughter, Shari K. Ferrara and fiancé Phillip Moore of Kosciusko, MS; step-daughter Kara K. Barger and husband Barry of Bremen, GA; step-son Charles “Chuck” Knight and wife Stacey of Waleska, GA; grandchildren, Eric T. Mautner; Laurie Mautner Holmes and husband Greg; Brian W. Mautner; Aaron Z. Reed; Alexi Ferrara Moore and husband Dr. James Moore; Kacey Ferrara Amorello and husband Nick; Douglas R. Ferrara and wife Kaitlyn; Emily C. Ferrara; Bradley R. Ferrara and fiancé Lacie; Cory S. Ferrara; Cody A. Lucas and wife Amanda; Sydney K. Waters and husband Greg; Ethan E. Knight; and Kelsea S. Knight; great-grandchildren, Kaylee and Nolan Mautner; Lyla, Bryce, and Alyssa Holmes; Max Mautner; James “Oliver” and Luke Moore; Kinley, Kyndall, and Kamryn Amorello; Eli Ferrara; Colt and Cash Lucas; and Jamie and Brantley Turner; sister-in-law Ida Monistere Ferrara of Hammond, LA; and numerous Nieces and Nephews.
Peter was preceded in death by parents Anthony “Tony” Ferrara and Mary Pecoraro Ferrara, first wife Vera Pizzolato Ferrara, brother Victor “Butsie” J. Ferrara, sister Marie Antionette Ferrara Peco, brother-in-law Salvador Peco, and great-niece Madison C. Peco.
Our family has lost our Patriarch and Hero, a kind, gentle and loving soul who never
put himself first even in his final hours. We will forever miss our Husband, Father,
Father-in-Law, Stepfather, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Brother-in-Law, Uncle,
Cousin, Neighbor, Shipmate, and Friend, but we all look forward to being with him
and our Heavenly family in another life.
May brisk winds fill your sails forever - Anchors aweigh Dad!
Honorary Pallbearers are Victor “Vic” Ferrara Jr., Robert “Bobby” Ferrara, Salvador Peco, Kelly Gideon, Menno “Spike” Dammer, Sam Werner, Fred Eargle, and Bill Mills
Special thanks to Dr. Gerald Barber; Dr. Harold Helmke; at OLOL - Dr. Brian Gouri and Dr. Ziv Zukier; at OJCCC - Dr. Elizabeth Curtis, Rehab Therapists, and Howard Sadler III; at Promise Hospital - Dr. Karthik Reddy and Dr. Vasudev Tati; Clarity Hospice; Fr. Michael Alello; Fr. Jerry Martin; and private CNA caregivers Katina Johnson and Latrice Young.
Due to current COVID-19 CDC Guidelines, Visitation Services will not be held at this time. A private Gravesite ceremony will be held at Greenoaks Memorial Park in Baton Rouge, LA, for immediate family members only.
Future plans for a Celebration of Life shall be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Peter’s name to the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Association, or Cat Haven, 11130 N. Harrell’s Ferry Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70816
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