James Ferraro

In Loving Memory

James Ferraro

February 7, 1933 – March 18, 2026

Kingston, NY · Age 93

James J. Ferraro passed away peacefully on March 18, 2026, in Kingston, NY, surrounded by his loving family. Born in the Bronx and raised in Port Ewen, NY he was the son of Salvatore and Jeannette (Hines) Ferraro — a man of deep work ethic, integrity, warmth, and an abiding love of sports.

After finishing Kingston High School in 1953, Jim proudly served in the United States Army as a military policeman at Fort Benning, GA, earning the National Defense Service Medal for his service during the Koren War. He went on to found Ferraro's Auto Body, building a long and successful career in autobody repair.

Life in Baseball

An exceptional athlete in his youth — he excelled at football, basketball, and baseball. Jim also loved golf and played enthusiastically until the remarkable age of ninety-one. However, his true passion was always BASEBALL. For over 50 years, Jim coached and promoted baseball in the City of Kingston, making a difference in many young baseball players lives. If you lived in Kingston and liked baseball, you knew him. He left his mark all over the local baseball scene. He was inducted into the Kingston City Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991, received a Meritorious Service Award from the Kingston Baseball Old Timers Association, and was honored as "The Pride of Ulster County" by the Ulster County Legislature for his coaching role with the 1988 Kingston American Legion Post 150 baseball team. That team (loaded with future division 1 college and professional talent) was New York State and Northeast Regional American Legion Champions, and the first New York State American Legion team in 20 years to compete in the American Legion World Series.

James Ferraro, above anything, was a devoted father. His family was the embodiment of his greatest pride and his true life's legacy. He is survived by his seven children (James, Timothy, Kim, Lyn, Vincent, Robert, and Michael), nineteen grandchildren, and seven

great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his beloved sister Rose Ferraro-Bruck and his cherished companion of thirty-three years, Nancy Jacob.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, brothers Baldassaro, Patrick, Donald Ferraro, sister Patricia (Ferraro) Huber, and former wife Patricia (Cullum) Ferraro, devoted mother, and matriarch of the Ferraro family.

Cremation and services will be private.