Louis F. Ferrara

Louis grew up in Hempstead NY, playing sports with friends and doted on by his Italian born mother, Louise, who spoiled him and his elder sister Rose with an endless stream of homemade savory and sweet goodies that imparted to him his lifelong passion for food. Lou was loved by all whose path he crossed. He was known by many names: Dad, Pop Pop, Lou, and Louie.

Lou served his country in World War 2 as a morse code operator. After his discharge from the Army, he embarked on various pursuits, including being a top notch bartender with a following so large he thought about making it his career, and selling used cars.

Through his many ventures, Lou ended up following his father Frank into a career in photogravure, attending night school for 6 years to learn a task that was painstaking and labor intensive in the era before computers. He spent his career with Alco Gravure, a photogravure company based in Hoboken NJ. He worked his way up from the lowest rung as “Floor Boy” to Vice President and partial owner of the company until his retirement in 1988.

In 1955 Lou married his great love, Madeline Nappi and together they enjoyed a full life in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. They raised Frank and Gina in Old Tappan, NJ, before moving to Orlando where they lived for 37 years.

Lou was a wonderful all-around athlete, an avid low handicap golfer, and a fierce sports fan; supporting the NY Mets, NY Giants and the Orlando Magic. He and Madeline loved traveling. In retirement, they combined their love for both travel and golf by cruising extensively and playing renowned golf courses around the world.

Lou was an original “foodie” and could detail for you a 4-course meal or a simple deli sandwich he had enjoyed weeks earlier. Eating was only surpassed by his commitment and love for his family, which included his 4 granddaughters of whom he was proud and supportive.

Lou made friends easily everywhere he went. He attracted people with his wit, charm and genuine interest them. He will be greatly missed, but will live on through his family, friends and the legacy of his many wonderful stories.

Lou is survived by his son, Francis Ferrara and wife JoAnne; daughter, Gina Ferrara-Bates and husband John Bates; grandchildren Francesca and Therese Ferrara and Olivia and Catherine Bates; his brother Ralph Nappi and wife Maureen; his sister Joanne Aboff and husband Shelly; and eleven nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by Madeline (2021), his parents, Frank and Louise Ferrara, his beloved in-laws Josephine and Thomas Nappi, sister Rose Marie Cardinale, brothers John and Thomas Nappi and nephew Joseph Nappi.

Requiem Mass will be held at St. James Cathedral in Orlando (215 N. Orange Avenue, Orlando) on Thursday June 23, 2:00 pm.

Or via live stream:

https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-louis-ferrara-op1ot1dl6gu7ujd4dtov

Entombment will follow at 4:00 pm at Glen Haven Cemetery (2300 Temple Dr, Winter Park, FL).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Orlando Lutheran Towers Foundation

300 E. Church Street

Orlando Fl 32801