"Dear Nancy, I'm so saddened to hear the news of Mike. Hold dear to those beautiful memories. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time. Love, Paula (Masters)Rotoli"
In loving memory of
Michael A. Ferrauilo
December 17, 1964 - January 1, 2023
Michael A. Ferrauilo
January 1, 2023. Michael is predeceased by his parents, Anita & Michael Ferrauilo. He is survived by his wife, Nancy (Walker) Ferrauilo; daughters, Olivia (James) Petronio & Emily Ferrauilo; grandson, Michael Petronio; siblings, Kimberly Ferrauilo-Poudrier & Joseph (Michele) Ferrauilo; several nieces, nephews, cousins & dear friends.
Michael's life story will be shared during his visitation at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane (Between 390 & Long Pond Rd.), Sunday, January 8th, 1-5 PM. His funeral mass will be celebrated, Monday, January 9th, at 11:30 AM at St. Lawrence Church, 1000 N. Greece Rd., immediately following, he will be laid to rest in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the National Kidney Foundation, 1344 University Avenue, Suite 270, Rochester, NY 14607 in Michael's memory.
Remembering Michael:
Michael was born on December 17, 1964, in Rochester, NY. Anita and Michael Ferrauilo; his parents were high school sweethearts. His Mom was the homemaker for the early family years while his dad worked long hours in the plumbing world as his grandfather did. As a young boy, Michael spent many summer days with either his grandfather, an uncle, or his father on their plumbing jobs. His parents, Michael and Anita, were very inspirational to him. From when he was a young boy to adulthood, everything he did, was a reflection of his parents. He followed in his father's love of plumbing and they started Michael A. Ferrauilo Plumbing & Heating, Inc. in 1987. Even after losing his Mom at 59 years old and losing his Dad at 73 years old, he never stopped thinking about making his parents proud. Both of his parents fought tirelessly with their own health problems, and Michael fought just as hard with his own.
Michael was the oldest of 3 siblings. They are all 15 months apart in age: Kimberly and Joe. They grew up in a typical Italian family. A pot of sauce on the stove every Sunday, with a few loaves of bread nearby for dunking. Family vacations, snowmobiling, motorbiking, everyone attending Kim's dance recitals, and the boy's sporting events. The past 13 months their relationships strengthened with amazing prayers for recovery and amazing meals and treats delivered to Strong multiple days a week to bring him the home-cooked meals he remembered growing up.
Michael grew up surrounded by many aunts and uncles and had very fond memories with his cousins at both of his loving grandparents' homes. He enjoyed all the kids in his Black Walnut neighborhood in Greece and participated in all forms of sports growing up: bowling at Maiden Lanes, KPAA baseball, and Greece Chargers football. He was such a unique and memorable person, so many of these people from the early years have reached out these past 13 months and prayed for his recovery.
He attended Buckman Heights Elementary School and Hoover Drive Jr. High; although Michael wanted to go to Cardinal Mooney High School, his father insisted on Aquinas Institute where he immediately met his lifelong friends. Michael always mentioned these years being the most memorable and the strongest friendships formed. He tried playing basketball and tried boxing at the Mission Bouts -- but his passions were football and baseball. He would be able to recount every game right down to the last detail. Michael went to the University of Rochester. His intentions were to be a lawyer. But by his sophomore year, he was already arranging his class schedule to allow himself time to work with his dad in the plumbing field two days a week. He played football and was a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. Although he "walked the stage" for graduation in 1987, his Mom opened the mail shortly after to discover he was 3 credits short of his bachelor's degree. The missed credits have been a funny story between one of his fraternity brothers ever since. It wasn't as important because his intentions were to continue plumbing and he became a business owner with his father in the field of commercial plumbing.
Michael was a Co-Owner and President of Michael A. Ferrauilo Plumbing & Heating, Inc. He loved his job and his goal was to return to work. He employed a loyal group of men -- that were more importantly his friends. Through the years there were several young men that Michael had special relationships and "took them under his wing" with hopes for them to continue in the field.
Michael enjoyed spending quality time with his family, until he was tired, and then he would retreat to his lair: his Garage. He enjoyed every opportunity of sharing a meal with family and friends, with the "dining experience" being more important than the actual meal. He enjoyed the frustrating sport of golf with his friends; often "displacing" a golf club after a bad shot. He always said if you loved your job, you would be good at it. He loved his profession and all of the treasured relationships over the years. After his kidney transplant, he had a newfound interest in his appearance and fashion. His sense of style developed to the point of designing his own clothes.
Michael and Nancy met at Driver's Ed at Cardinal Mooney in the summer of 1981 - they were just 16 years old. In Michael's lame attempt to meet Nancy, he called her on the phone asking if she would "give" him the homework notes from traffic court. Nancy said "no, she wouldn't cheat" and the phone call ended. A few days later, Nancy walked up to Mike and asked if he wanted to come over to her house to look at her sister's wedding pictures... he said "sure" and they started dating shortly after until their wedding in August of 1989. Michael and Nancy celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary outside Strong's ICU in their outdoor garden space. He was as giving as ever and worked very hard to sign his name with his amputated hand on a very special plaque of Padre Pio's Healing Prayer.
He and Nancy welcomed their daughters, Olivia who was born in 1992 and Emily born 18 months later in 1993. Michael attended every event for Olivia and Emily: whether it was school concerts, plays, gymnastic meets, or piano recitals; there wasn't a single event he missed, didn't matter the time of day or day of the week. He was very proud of everything they both accomplished. Family vacations were very important such as their trips to Florida, Disney, cruises, the Outer Banks, and the Fern. One of the funniest stories about our Outer Banks trips was when the 6 kids were throwing water balloons from the rooftop deck of the house toward the adults on the beach. Let's just say one of the water balloons got a little too close to Mike on the beach -- and we all know what it's like when Mike gets mad ...
Michael and his family have been members of St. Lawrence Church for many, many years and his daughters attended St. Lawrence School.
His favorite lifelong sports teams have been the Buffalo Bills and New York Yankees. He loved to watch Everybody Loves Raymond; Bar Rescue, King of Queens, & The Sopranos. He enjoyed listening to country music as well as Taylor Swift & Adele.
Michael hated driving in traffic; The family never saw the end of a Bills game, a concert, or any event, because it was important to leave early to beat the traffic. Punctuality was especially important to him. If anyone knows the term "AIS" from the Everybody Loves Raymond episode, getting in the car on time was extremely important.
Some of his favorite sayings were, Stay on Task; Stay in the Room; Keep your Head on a Swivel.
Michael always had a HUGE personality -- larger than life; He would light up the room with his great big smile and warm eyes. Great sense of humor; Very generous; He was genuinely interested in and gave his full attention to every person he met. He was very determined, and never wanted to fail. No matter what hand he was dealt in his life, he was always able to spin it in a positive light: "there was always another bus coming around the corner". He lived every day of his life to the fullest. He can be described as being hard-headed, and he used this to his personal advantage and used every bit of his internal strength to persevere. He never wanted to disappoint, with an Extremely Strong Will to Live the Best Life Ever.
Tributes
"Karen & family, we're so sorry to hear Mike's passing. His fight was strengthened by your family's love. Please know you are in our prayers during the difficult days ahead. Rocky and Mary"
"My deepest and sincerest condolences. I followed his bravery (and the family?s) via his daughter Olivia? s Facebook page. While I may be total stranger, sickness and death are a common connection and I prayed fervently for him and the family but God has other plans. Celebrate him and keep his legacy alive. God bless and grant you all strength to endure the loss.??"
"Nancy, Olivia and Emily and Family, Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. We remember when Michael and Nancy were just married and were building a home next to us on Letchworth Avenue. We could not have had better neighbors than the Ferrauilo?s. They were so much fun and Mike was the ring leader. We built wood swing sets with a club house so Sean and the girls could play in both back yards and Marc could keep an eye on them. When Mike finished his garage with Nancy?s Father, he was so happy. and was out there all the time. Several times I would pull into my house at 4:30 am from work and would put the spotlight on the garage which woke Mike up.. We would always talk about football etc. and I took Mike out to Notre Dame for a Football Game and he loved it. It was a memorable weekend and experience.. We have never since had such wonderful neighbors. who became good friends. We have such fond memories of the Ferrauilo Family and we hope your fond memories of Mike bring you Peace. May God Rest his Soul. Tom and Jody McShea and Family"
"My personal heartfelt condolences to Nancy, her daughters and all those close to Michael. As an outsider looking in over these past few years, I observed an abundance of love, dedication, and compassion for this wonderful man. And - I am certain - what got him through this very, very tough time in his life. When I first met Michael, it was to ask him to speak in front of about 300 people at a benefit for the National Kidney Foundation. He had me smiling, looked phenomenal from his head to his toes, and spoke with such elegance and genuineness. I will always remember this moment ? as all I knew about Michael prior was that his wife Laura donated her kidney to him. I frequently reflect on the incredible love and dignity witnessed in this family. May his love of family and life be in your hearts forever. As you already know, he will be right there - always by your side."
"To the Ferrauilo Family my sincere condolences. Mike and I had many dealings when I was the BM for local 13. Mike always wanted to do what was right for all his employees. What a class act and gentlemen. RIP. John Perticone "
"I am a friend of Michael?s daughter, Olivia. Olivia and I graduated from Northeastern University together. On the day of our graduation, our two families shared a meal together at American Joe?s Grill to celebrate. The lunch was filled with laughter and good conversation. At the end, Mr. Ferrauilo paid for my family?s portion of the meal and said ?a friend of Liv?s is a friend of mine.? I?ll always remember that as a token of his warmth, welcoming spirit, and generosity. My entire family was touched and inspired by the way he treated those he hardly knew. May he rest in love and peace. "
"Michael and Joey were my first friends when I moved in Marble Drive are used to take care of his paper route when he couldn't their family was welcoming and kind. I never stop praying for you. Rest in peace, my friend."
"Mike and I shared a birthday. We met in kindergarten and grew up together. All threw life we were good friends. He was an amazing person! We lost touch after high school but he would always be my birthday buddy ?. I?ll always think of him on my birthday. Sleep with the angels Mike ??"
"There are so many Mike stories it would be hard to choose just 1. Let us say The memories will live on and the friendships everlasting. Nancy and family certainly towers of faith and unconditional love. Although we are far away at this time we send our love and prayers always Bob and Nancy"
"I know you have already heard and already KNOW what an unbelievable man u had in Mike. Never have we ever met a more positive, kind and generous man. The amount of drive was amazing and an inspiration to everyone. I hope to use Mike's story in showing people that if you have the drive and determination to do something, you can do it! If Mike can go thru the hell he went through and still stay positive anyone can! He is a true inspiration to everyone and will live on in many hearts. God Bless a of you. Until you meet again.????"