John Ferri
John Ferri of Bethlehem, PA, passed away peacefully on February 9, 2023. He was born on August 14, 1926, in Easton, PA. He was the first son of Antonio and Antonietta Ferri. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Margaret, brothers Anthony and Samuel. He is survived by his children, son John and wife Christie of New Market, Maryland, son David and wife Vanessa of New York, New York, and daughter Patricia (Ferri) Kienzle and husband Dr. Rand of Malvern, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Angelina (David Newman), Nicole (Dominic San Severino), Victoriana, Jenna, Jace, and Tate as well as five great-grandchildren, Carmella, Luca, Salvatore, Giovanni, Mya and two brothers, James, and Carmen.
He was a member and lectern at Incarnation of Our Lord Catholic Church, the former St. Cyril and Methodius, in Bethlehem. With his wife, he was a regular volunteer for the Ladies Pennsylvania Slovak Catholic Union,
Miss Pennsylvania Pageant, The Son's of Italy and Unico. He enjoyed working the Liberty High School Booster Club Concession Stand during football games, long after his children graduated.
John enlisted in the Navy after graduating high school at age 17. After Naval training in Seneca Lake, New York, he was shipped on the Queen Mary to England. While in London, he did meet Princess Elizabeth and was invited to lunch with her. From England, John crossed the channel and was in the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. He was a radio operator and gunner aboard LST 175. The ship also provided supplies during the Battle of the Bulge. After his European tour he was sent to the Pacific theatre. Being a radio operator, he was perched up high on the ship where he was a target for Japanese Zero Attack Planes. He would tell the story of jumping under a protective shield for cover.
John was a storyteller. His favorite story he would tell his grandchildren was about his first paying job, being a pin boy at the local Bowling Alley. John always had a way of making people smile, had a sly sense of humor, and a generous heart. He will be missed greatly.
A viewing will be held from 7:00pm until 9:00pm on Monday, February 13, 2023, at Connell Funeral Home, Inc., 245 E. Broad Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. A second viewing will be held from 9:00am until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at Incarnation of Our Lord Catholic Church, 617 Pierce Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Interment will follow at Holy Savior Cemetery, 2575 Linden Street, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. To share condolences with John's family, please visit www.connellfuneral.com. Please sign Guest Book on www.themorningcall.com/obits