July 7, 1945 - March 9, 2020
A MESSAGE FROM KAREN FERRARA REGARDING MICHAEL'S VIEWING & SERVICES:
Please do not feel obligated to come to the public viewing hours this evening, or the services tomorrow if you are afraid of the the Corona Virus or the spreading of germs in a group of people. She understands if you need to stay home and do what's best for you and your families. You may reach out to Karen and her family to offer condolences in other ways, by calling them on the phone, email, texting, FaceTime or by going onto the Funeral Home website to leave an online condolence if you choose to stay home. You may even email us at bukladmemorial@aol.com to send an email message to them, we will make sure they receive it. As of 12:00 noon today (Monday, March 16, 2020) the services are still going on as planned. If anything changes, it will be posted on the Funeral Home website immediately.
Michael R. Ferrara, 74, of Hamilton, NJ, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2020 at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia after a long and courageous battle with cancer.
Born on July 7, 1945, Michael was the son of Leontine (Donini) Ferrara and Philip Ferrara. Michael attended Ewing High School, class of 1963. He received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland College Park in 1967 and was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. After college in 1967, he began his State career with the NJ Department of Transportation where he met the love of his life, Karen (Rogoza). They were married on April 12, 1969. He served in the United States Air Force from March 1968-March 1972. During that time, Michael and his new bride were stationed in Kansas City, MO, Ankara, Turkey and Tullahoma, TN. Michael was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service. Upon leaving the military, Michael returned to NJ where he and Karen settled in Hamilton. He served with distinction in the Office of Management and Budget beginning in 1972, in a series of positions including Acting Director and State Comptroller. He was honored with lifetime membership to NASBO (National Association of State Budget Offices) in 2000. He retired from the state in 2000 and began a new career at Rutgers University New Brunswick as Assistant Director of the Office of Budget and Resource Studies. Michael retired from Rutgers in 2015. Michael loved all sports but was an avid NY Yankees and Philadelphia Eagles fan. He was the longtime treasurer for the Steinert Spartan baseball team. He was full of life and had an unparalleled sense of humor. He loved crossword puzzles, Sudoku and watching TV. He also loved to sing and dance. But most of all, Mike loved his family. His favorite pastime was watching his children and grandchildren participate in all their many activities. He will be forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Karen; children, Renee (David) Szkubiel and Nicholas (Carrie) Ferrara; his grandchildren who he adored, Jacob and Zachary Szkubiel and Ashlynn and Addison Ferrara; his siblings, Karen (Erik) Catob and Philip Thomas Ferrara (Caroline); his sister-in-law Kimberlee (Kenneth) D’Andrea; his brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Joy) Rogoza and Kevin (Jennifer) Rogoza; his many special nieces and nephews, Donna Catob, Laurie (Harry) Whetstone, Lisa Catob, Jennifer Commiso, Amanda Rogoza, and Christa (Sean) Meara; his great-nephews/Godsons, Devin Smith and Jayson Commiso; his great-nephew Michael Catob; his great-niece Tara Whetstone; as well as aunts, cousins and many friends especially his lifelong friends, Vince (Jane) Perelli, Gary (Linda) Thorn and Robert (Sally) Segal. He was predeceased by his parents, Leontine (Donini) Ferrara and Philip Ferrara; his in-laws John and Eleanor (Bogdan) Rogoza; his sister-in-law Kristine Szul; and his nephews Erik Catob Jr. and Jason Szul.
Visiting hours for relatives and friends will be held on Monday, March 16, 2020, from 5:00pm-8:00pm at the Buklad-Merlino Yardville Memorial Home, 30 Yardville-Allentown Road, Yardville, NJ. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, at 11:00am at St. Vincent DePaul Roman Catholic Church, 555 Yardville-Allentown Road, Yardville, NJ. Interment will follow in Saints Peter & Paul Cemetery, Cedar Lane, Hamilton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
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