Obituary of Alphonso J. Ferrara

Alphonso James Ferrara passed away on Sunday April 3, 2022 at the age of 95 at his home in Sunnyside, NY. Fonzo, as he was known to family and friends, was born on the West Side of Manhattan on All Saint's Day, November 1st 1926 to Immaculata (Margaret) and Frank Ferrara. His name Alphonso, meaning noble-ready, was a fit description as he lived as a highly principled, moral, and generous life. His work ethic began at an early age and continued throughout his life until he retired in 2001 to care for his wife Virginia. He was, predeceased by his wife Virginia in 2006, his brothers Carmine, Joseph, Frank, and his sister Mary. He is survived by his three children, Gigi (John), Stephen (Sally), Michael (Linda) and his grandchildren Kristen, Maryanne, Rebecca, Daniel and Cassidy. He also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. One nephew, Gerard, on learning of his passing said "if we all lived like he did, the world would be a better place." Although Fonzo, severely hearing impaired, he was able to communicate and was great story teller. He was meticulous with numbers and loved doing his friends' income taxes. But his passion was baseball, he played for Commerce High School, and his claim to fame was the homerun he hit off a future major leaguer. He continued throughout his life playing softball and stickball with the Westside Boys/IONA clubs. He was inducted into the Stickball Hall of Fame in Harlem, NY and he loved playing handball with his brother Carmine. He was blessed by his loving and caring neighbors, J.D., John, Lisette, Chris, and Zoe, especially in his later years. He will live on in the hearts of his family and friends. Visitation will be Thursday, April 7 from 4-8PM at Edward D. Lynch Funeral Home, Inc, 43-07 Queens Boulevard, Sunnyside, NY. Funeral Mass will be held 10:30 am on Friday, April 8, 2022 at Queen Of Angels RCC, 44th Street And Skillman Avenue, Sunnyside, NY. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside following the Mass. Flowers are welcomed, and other contributions can be sent to Alphonso's favorite charities: Sisters in Charity (https://sistersofcharity.com/) and/or St. Jude (https://www.stjude.org/).