2026 HONOREE
Christopher Ferraro
&
the late Chick Ferraro

Chick Ferraro (Honored Posthumously)

Chick was a devoted parishioner of St. Patrick Parish and a steadfast champion of St. Patrick School whose quiet generosity, faith-filled leadership, and hands-on service left an enduring mark on the Bay Shore community.

 

Chick and his high school sweetheart, Barbara Kratchman, were married at St. Mary’s Church in East Islip on August 1, 1959. They began their family and made their home on Meier Place in Bay Shore. Chick spent his entire professional career as an insurance agent in the family business, Ferraro Associates in Babylon, where he was known for his integrity, work ethic, and care for others.

 

From the moment the Ferraro family became part of St. Patrick School in 1966, Chick and Barbara embraced the parish and school not simply as institutions, but as a family to be nurtured and sustained. Their four children—Charles ’74, Loretta ’76, Greg ’79, and Chris ’89—were educated at St. Patrick School, followed by seven grandchildren—Brent ’04, Blake ’07, Blaine ’09, Brock ’11, Brooke ’15, Grace ’24, and Sarah ’26—a testament to a multigenerational commitment spanning six decades.

 

A man of deep faith and humility, Chick gave freely of his time, talent, and resources—often behind the scenes and always without seeking recognition. His craftsmanship and practical skills were a gift to the parish, contributing to the care, maintenance, and improvement of both church and school facilities in ways that continue to benefit the community today. For several years, he also used his creative talents to craft memorable raffle prizes for the annual Christmas Boutique, bringing joy to countless families.

 

Chick’s dedication to Catholic education was especially evident through his service on the St. Patrick School Board from 1978 to 1986, where he helped guide the school through a challenging period and into a formative era of growth and stability. He believed deeply in the mission of Catholic education and worked faithfully to ensure that St. Patrick School remained a place where children could grow in faith, knowledge, and character.

 

Together, Chick and Barbara fostered a household rooted in faith, service, and love for the Church. They shared a close friendship with the Sisters of Mercy, especially Sr. Mary Kenneth, RSM, whose presence enriched their spiritual lives and strengthened their commitment to service.

 

In recognition of their lifelong dedication, Chick and Barbara were awarded the Diocesan St. Agnes Medal of Service in 2013. They were inducted into the St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School Hall of Fame in 2010, and in 2019, Chick received the Jack Lessing Meritorious Service Award at the SJB Gentlemen’s Dinner.

 

At the age of 86, surrounded by his loving family, Chick entered eternal life on November 6, 2025. He is remembered for his kindness, integrity, strong work ethic, and unwavering love for St. Patrick Parish and School. His legacy lives on through the many lives he touched and through the continued faith and service of his family. Fittingly, May 18—the date of this golf outing—marks what would have been Chick’s birthday.

 

Christopher Ferraro

Chris is a lifelong parishioner of St. Patrick Parish and a proud alumnus of St. Patrick School, Class of 1989. Following in the footsteps of his three siblings, he continued on to St. John the Baptist Diocesan High School, graduating in 1993. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in history and certification in secondary education from St. Joseph’s University, Patchogue in 1997.

 

During these formative years, Chris worked in St. Patrick’s rectory, sang in the choir, played the organ for Masses, and served on the parish liturgy committee—experiences that helped shape his vocational call to ministry.

 

Chris began his full-time ministry at St. Patrick’s during Msgr. Fagan’s pastorate, serving as Director of Liturgy while pursuing graduate studies. He earned master’s degrees in Theology (1999) and Pastoral Studies (2007), along with an Advanced Certificate in Pastoral Liturgy (2001) from the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. His ongoing formation includes graduate study in liturgy at the University of Notre Dame, certification as a Director of Worship through the USCCB Alliance for the Certification of Lay Ecclesial Ministers, and a Certificate in Church Management from Villanova University.

 

For more than three decades, Chris has dedicated himself to helping people encounter God through the Church’s worship. He currently serves as Director of Music and Liturgy at St. Patrick’s Parish. His previous ministry includes service at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lindenhurst, Christ the King in Commack, and as Director of the Liturgical Music Institute at the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception. His leadership extends beyond the parish through service on the Diocese of Rockville Centre Liturgical Commission, the Board of Directors of the Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC), and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM), where he currently serves

as Secretary of the Board of Directors. He is the author of numerous articles and co-author of two books: Guide for Celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours (2019) and Preparing Music for Catholic Liturgy (2025).

 

In 2005, Chris met Catherine Cuccia through the music ministry at Christ the King Church in Commack. They were married at Christ the King on July 13, 2007, with Fr. Seán Gann presiding. Chris and Cathy live in Islip and are the proud parents of Grace and Sarah, both graduates of St. Patrick School. Grace graduated in 2024 and now attends St. John the Baptist High School; Sarah will graduate in June 2026 and begin at St. John’s this fall.

 

Deeply aware that tuition covers only a portion of the cost of Catholic education, Chris has worked tirelessly to support St. Patrick School. He co-chaired the annual candy drive for three years, founded the Golden Ticket Raffle in 2020—which has raised more than $180,000 for tuition assistance—and served on planning committees for the school’s 75th, 85th, and 100th anniversaries. In 2023, he founded the Shamrock Schola, a select choir of students in grades 5–8 that enriches parish and school liturgies.

 

The Legacy of the Ferraro Family at St. Patrick School (1966–2026)

The Ferraro family’s relationship with St. Patrick School spans sixty remarkable years, beginning in 1966 and culminating with the final Ferraro graduate in June 2026. Across generations, the family has exemplified a steadfast commitment to faith, Catholic education, and service—supporting the school as students, parents, volunteers, leaders, and advocates. Their presence has shaped classrooms, strengthened parish life, and enriched the broader St. Patrick community in countless ways. As this chapter of active enrollment comes to a close, the legacy of the Ferraro family remains deeply

woven into the history and heart of St. Patrick School—a lasting testament to faithful stewardship and generational devotion.