Obituary of James J Ferraro

James J. “Cha Cha” Ferraro, 85, of Peabody and formerly of Lynn and Lynnfield, died Monday afternoon at the Twin Oaks Nursing Home in Danvers following a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Mary (Kilroy) Ferraro with whom he shared over 50 years of marriage. Born in Italy, he was the son of the late Salvatore and Rose (Papadrea) Ferraro. As a young child, he immigrated with his family to the United States and settled in Lynn. He attended Lynn Public Schools and was a graduate of Lynn Classical High School. Jim was a veteran of World War II who served with the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1946. Prior to enlisting with the United States Navy, Jim worked on the first jet engine at General Electric in Lynn. After the war, Jim worked for the Charlestown Navy Yard for three years and then for Gilchrist Department Store in Boston as a watchmaker until 1974. He continued working for Hearing and Eye Glass World in Cambridge, and finally, before retiring in 1996, he worked for Family Optician in Malden. Jim enjoyed golfing and knowing all his facts about ancient history and was a member of the Brick Yarder Club in Lynn. Besides his loving wife Mary, he is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Carolyn Ferraro of Salem, NH, three daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Herbert Howard of Lynn, Wendy and Thomas O’Brien of Braintree, and Mary and Kevin Conway of Peabody, his brother, Joseph Ferraro of Lynn, and two sisters, Mary McKenna of Lynn and Angie and her husband John Capamachio of Andover, and is also survived by eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday at 10:00 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn.