Obituaries

James Peter Ferace

January 25, 1951 - October 8, 2017

Burial Date December 16, 2017

James Peter Ferace, 66, of New London entered eternal life on Oct. 8, 2017 at home in the company of his loving family. He was born Jan. 25, 1951 in New London, third son of the late Angelo and Mildred (Donovan) Ferace.

Pete graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School, St. Bernard High School, and Assumption College.  He worked all sorts of jobs – truck driver for his father’s business, Lincoln Oil; union laborer on projects such as the Millstone Power Plant; most recently, and for many years, as a Job Coach for The ARC of New London County and Sharp Training.

Pete was a New London native, but his home on The Strand in Waterford was a very special place from coming-of-age adventures, to welcoming his own children into the world, to honoring his father’s wishes by caring for his mother there until her death in 2010. The beach was a passion for Pete – taking long walks during the day, and sitting by the fire at night, but especially swimming underwater and admiring the sunlight filtering in on his ascent. By neighbors, he was fondly known as “The Strandman” and “The Mayor”.

When Pete was not with friends and family at the beach, he was with them somewhere else. He loved every moment of time together – taking rides to get pumpkins in fall or coffee in picturesque New England towns in winter, or simply watching Jeopardy (and knowing all the answers). Paramount, Pete cherished supporting his children at every endeavor. Whether it was rooting on the baseball team, or the soccer team, waiting at the finish line, asking about the last hike or next dive, he was their biggest fan.

Pete also supported the Arts, particularly painting and philosophy. He held a strong Faith, particularly in Jesus and novenas. He was intelligent, had an absolute gift of storytelling, and a wild sense of humor. He was humble and kind. He accepted all walks of life, and was an advocate of human rights. Pete treated all with respect and dignity.

He was united in marriage to Lamar Peter Moore on Aug. 26, 2014 on The Strand. In addition to Lamar, he is survived by two children, MarcAngelo Ferace (wife, Jaime) of Mystic and Crystal Ferace (companion, Scott McGuire) of New London; three brothers, Richard, Fred and David; ex-wife and friend, Susan P. Kelly; and those dear friends he met by chance, but left as family.

Relatives and friends are invited for a memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday at 10 am in St. Joseph Church, New London. Interment services are private.  In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Joseph School Endowment Fund, 39 Squire St. New London, CT 06320.  The Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave. New London, has been entrusted with his care.