Robert J. Ferretti

Robert J. Ferretti, 89, of Johnston passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 29th. He was surrounded by his family, Claire (Page) Ferretti, his wife of 56 years, his son Rob, and his daughter, Amy. With his passing, he will again be with his beloved son, Tim. 

Bob was born in Providence on January 4th, 1931 to Costantino and Ida Ferretti. As part of the larger Italian community of Federal Hill, he always cherished his heritage.  The family then moved to Conimicut in Warwick. While growing up there he made friendships that he valued until his death. His close knit group of lifelong friends still met frequently for lunches, where they would reminisce about the old days and trade stories of their lives over the years.  He always looked forward to these get-togethers.

A lifelong resident of Rhode Island, he loved his country. When he was 18 he enlisted in the Navy to honorably serve during the Korean War; after active duty he served in the National Guard for two years. He was an active member of the American Legion Post #43 in Warwick where he served as Commander. He was always proud to be a veteran.

While working at TF Green Airport in food service he met Claire, the love of his life. Their courtship was brief but their love is eternal. They went on to build a loving and devoted family. His entire life was dedicated to his family and to God. 

He was an amazing cook, an energetic fix it man, and a horrible driver, part of the legacy handed down to his children and grandchildren. Bob was fearless when it came to technology, drawn early on to the wonders of digital video and photography. 

Bob lived for his children, taking every opportunity to be actively involved in what interested them - whether it was as a softball or baseball coach, as a scoutmaster, band parent or enthusiastic supporter.

He had an amazing, mischievous sense of humor that never diminished. He could find laughter in the darkest of times and eased all those around him.  

His sense of adventure was never quelled and he enjoyed traveling with his loving wife by his side. Together they were blessed to have been to some of the most beautiful places in the world. He collected flags from the many states and countries and was proud to talk about them and the escapades they represented.

He dedicated his life to charity including most recently volunteering at St. Robert’s Food Pantry.  Even when he was unable to actively help at the Food Pantry he still enjoyed visiting to see the friends he had made and help out however he was able. The gift of volunteerism was handed down to his children who continue to try and make the world a better place -- and will continue to do so to honor his memory.  

His gregarious nature endeared him to everyone. Nobody left his presence as a stranger.  Everyone became a friend. 

He always had a story to tell and would do so at every opportunity. This was a gift and a curse passed down to his children.

He was proud of his children’s families: his grandsons, Andrew and Lucas, Rob’s wife, Laurie and Amy’s companion, Tom Purvis. 

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Claudia and Arlene and brother, Louis. The speed of Bob’s illness coupled with the restrictions dealing with Covid-19 impacted both our and his friend’s opportunity to spend precious time with him in his last few weeks. Thankfully, he was able to be home for his final days and was wonderfully cared for by his doctors, nurses, the Continuum Hospice nurses, CNAs as well as by his family. We are saddened that his funeral and burial has to be private because we know that many people want to be there to give him a joyous sendoff. A Memorial Mass celebrating his life will be planned in the future.

We ask that everyone participate in Random Acts of Kindness to continue on his legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Robert Bellarmine Food Pantry or St. Jude Research Hospital.

St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Food Pantry, 1804 Atwood Ave, Johnston, RI 02919,  (401)232-5600/EMAIL SRBP1804@AOL.COM
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 USA / donors@stjude.org