Peter James Ferrara

Dr. Peter James Ferrara was born on June 26, 1937, and passed away peacefully on September 24, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margaret Mary Ferrara, daughters Jennie Rebecca (Calvin James) Perry and Rachel Mary (the late John) Sulprizio, and grandchildren Kathleen Rebecca Perry, Sarabeth Concetta Perry, Laura Marleta Perry, Benjamin Peter Sulprizio and Dominic Francis Sulprizio.

Peter was born in Buffalo, NY on June 26, 1937. While he did not have the easiest childhood, he demonstrated his tenacity and work ethic early on, working in a car factory while in middle school to help support his grandparents. He graduated from Canisius High School after running nearly every extracurricular in the school (class officer, varsity football, and debate, just to name a few). He graduated from Canisius University in Buffalo, NY shortly afterwards and moved to Europe. While traveling through the continent, he learned multiple languages, and made a living hustling tourists by pretending to be a tour guide. He always described this time abroad as one of the happiest times of his life.

Eventually, Peter returned to the States in 1965, where he met Margaret Hawver at a clam bar in Buffalo, NY. They fell madly in love, and after three short months, they eloped and moved to California. Through the years they developed an unbreakable bond so much so that if one was gone they were always looking for each other. Our family liked to joke that they were extremely codependent on each other. Their daughter Jennie was born in Santa Monica, CA in 1966, followed shortly by their daughter Rachel in 1967.

As Peter and his young family moved back to the East Coast, Peter began his career in education, one that first and foremost focused on improving equity in the education system. While he would finish his career as a superintendent, he held many roles over the years. He was an assistant superintendent, assistant principal and teacher of English and Spanish in the Hudson school district; and a high school principal, middle school principal and director of school technology in Houston, Texas. He was beloved by the many students whose lives he touched. In the dedication of their yearbook, the Hudson High School Class of 1973 said this: “This man was always willing to help someone…with his competent leadership and devotion he has gone beyond most people’s efforts. We deeply appreciate all his hard work, wise guidance, and sincere interest in us. He has gained our respect and taken a place in our hearts as a true friend and advisor.”

Peter was known to give every student no matter their background a fair shake. He saw inequality in the school system and dedicated his pursuits to making sure that students at his school were receiving an equal education. His efforts were recognized by the Department of Education when Scarborough Senior High School in Houston, TX was named a National Blue Ribbon School in 1987, an award that recognizes schools that have shown exemplary work in removing learning gaps in education. During his career, he also earned his Doctorate of Education from Nova Southeastern University, graduating in 2003. He served as the Ellenville superintendent in Ellenville, NY from 2001-2004, after which he retired to spend more time enjoying his family.

He and Margaret moved to Reno, NV for sixteen years where he enjoyed a simple peaceful life of chauffeuring Margaret to her job at the University of Nevada, hikes on the trails with his dog Mona, and reading the paper every morning over a pastry from the German bakery down the mountain.

In his last three years, he moved in with his daughter Jennie and son-in-law Calvin in Raleigh, NC. Peter loved his pedicures, physical therapy, workouts, and walks in the park. He enjoyed attending Mass, going to the movies, and frequenting the North Carolina Symphony with Margaret. He created a vast community of people in his short time here and everyone who crossed paths with him considered themselves a friend of Peter. But above all, Peter LOVED food. He loved all Italian food (especially pizza), olives, radishes, Manhattans for a special occasion and wouldn't mind a glass of wine at dinner.

One thing about Peter that you should know is that he always saw things from a unique perspective. Every morning he would read the paper to keep himself up to date on current events. He took time to collect his thoughts and would present them succinctly and to the point. He had a quick wit to him and even with his Parkinson’s a day wouldn't pass where he would joke around with his family or friends.

Peter, Honey, Dad, Pappa, Poopsaroo, will be dearly missed. His smile would light up a room, his energy filled it, his love kept you thinking of him. We could write a book of all of the memories but in honor of Peter, we will end it here, keeping it short and to the point.

A Mass will be celebrated in honor of Peter’s life on Friday, October 20th, 3pm at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 200 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC. A reception will follow at the family's residence.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.