Andrew Ferrara Obituary (1926 - 2014)

Andrew J. Ferrara, 88, of Bloomington, died at 2:03 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington, following a brief illness.His funeral will be at 9:30 a.m., Monday, October 27, 2014 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington and at 10:00 a.m. at Historic St. Patricks Church in Bloomington with Monsignor Douglas Hennessy, Rev. R. Anthony Lee and Rev. Jeffrey Windy concelebrating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Normal with military rites accorded by Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard. A reception will follow at the church hall. Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry, at Holy Trinity Church in Bloomington, or American Legion Post 635 Carl S. Martin, in Normal.Mr. Ferrara was born on September 9, 1926 in Bloomington, the son of Antonino and Mary DAnna Ferrara. He married Mary T. Schuerman on October 11, 1947 at St. Marys Church in Bloomington. She died on December 11, 2006.He is survived by his six children, Mary (Denny) Johnson, Suzanne Ferrara and Anthony (Brenda) Ferrara, all of Normal, Kathleen Gaines of Bloomington, Andrew (Kathleen) Ferrara, Jr. of Belleville, Mich. and Teresa Tucker of Zion.; 9 grandchildren, Michele (Daniel) Hillary, Lisa Johnson, Aaron (Becky) Mikulich, Kacie and Talon Ferrara, David (Amy) Hammond, Jr., Alycia (Eric) Stark, Alexandra and Peyton Ferrara, and 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Teresa (Robert) Watt of Joliet.He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary, two sons, his brothers Daniel, Anthony, Joseph, Samuel, John, and Dominic, and his sisters Anna Cottone, Margaret Olson, Wanda Walsh, Emma Overstreet, Carmella Gifford and Lena Ferrara.Andy served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He worked for the U.S. Postal Services for over 37 years and retired in 1984. He was recognized as the McLean County Laborer of the Year in 1983. During the 1950s-60s, he also enjoyed working as a security officer for Miller Park, where he could be seen patrolling the park on his 3-wheeled motorcycle. Andy often volunteered his services at Central Catholic High School, St. Patricks Church and grade school, Holy Trinity Church, and events at Illinois State University. After he retired from the Post Office, Andy enjoyed working at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry for 30 years, where he picked up food donations from local businesses and helped distribute food each week.Andy was a Sacristan at Holy Trinity Church for 18 years and frequently worked at the church and on the grounds at Historic St. Patricks Church. He received the Pere Marquette Award from the Dioceses of Peoria in 2011. In 2013, the Doors of Hope Fellowship of Catholic Laity honored Andy with the second annual Father John J. Dietzen Award.Andy was loved by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his extended family of many nieces and nephews. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.