James E. Ferriero

Decorated WWII veteran was dedicated to North Arlington veteran and charitable organizations, 97

James. E. Ferriero, 97, died on March 13, 2018, at his home in North Arlington, N.J. The funeral will be at the Parow Funeral Home, 185 Ridge Rd., North Arlington, on Friday, March 16, at 9 a.m., thence to Our Lady Queen of Peace Church in North Arlington for the Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. The entombment will follow at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum in North Arlington. The visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Born in Harrison, N.J., Jim Ferriero lived in North Arlington since 1954. At the age of 81, Mr. Ferriero served as a councilman for the Borough of North Arlington for two terms and was the oldest freshman councilman in the State of New Jersey. He worked as a loan procurement officer for the Small Business Administration in both New York City and Newark, N.J., for 41 years before retiring 32 years ago. Jim Ferriero proudly served in the U.S. Army during World War II in Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe, where he received the American Theater Ribbon, European African-Middle Eastern Ribbon, and the Good Conduct and Victory Medal. He was then transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve, graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1973, and received his official Certificate of Retirement as a lieutenant colonel from the U.S. Army on March 4, 1981. Mr. Ferriero was a member of the Queen of Peace Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus Council 3428, the Veterans of Foreign War Post 4697, the American Legion Alexander P. Stover Post No. 37, and the Helping Exception People Organization, all of North Arlington. He was the beloved husband of the late Alice M. (nee Will); the cherished father of Donna Marie Ferriero, Jane Alice Johnston, Terese Ferriero, and Lisa Joy Valentine; the adored grandfather of Philip Johnston, Janine Martino, Sarah and Matthew Drasner, and Derek and James DellaVecchia; the loving great-grandfather of Megan Kaye, Emma Joy, and Paige Elizabeth Johnston, and Kayla Joy Martino, Adrianna, Autumn Rose, and Sofia DellaVecchia, and the dear uncle of many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Valentine Foundation, P.O. Box 7242, North Arlington, N.J. 07031, www.valentinehouse.org.

Published in Star-Ledger on Mar. 14, 2018

---

From the NAToday Archives:

Interview with Jim Ferriero

Recollections of World War II with thoughts on 9/11 and the War in Iraq from North Arlington Councilman and American Patriot Jim Ferriero, Lt. Colonel, US Army Retired.

Question: What was your proudest moment as a member of the military?
Jim Ferriero: My proudest moment or time would be my playing a small part in being able to serve my country to the ultimate victory in World War II- being a member of the “Greatest Generation” as Tom Brokaw put it.

Q: Did you see combat and what was that like?
JF: I was part of the invasion and landed on Utah Beach. I have a couple of punctured eardrums probably from the bombing in Normandy. It was both a scary and exhilarating experience, especially jumping into my “fox hole” on the first night off the beach. I have a citation from the Republic of France and the “Normandy Medal” for my participation in the invasion. I was also awarded the “Distinguished Service Medal” for my combat service. I spent 39 months in service with two years overseas.

Q: What was it like to be in a foreign country for the first time?
JF: I was in awe as we landed in Swansea, Wales on December 13, 1943, coming off sick bay to walk the gang plank in full field gear “ready for combat”. I had contracted bronchitis in the hold of the ship, a troop carrier.

Q: Did you make friendships from your Army days and are any of these individuals still alive?
JF: At this late stage, I have limited contact with those in WWII and more so with many friends in my overall 30 years of service, mainly in the Reserve. We meet regularly.

Q: You have spent much of your life as an advocate for veterans affairs. Why is this important to you?
JF: It is important that we memorialize the great service of my confreres and help further the benefits for all who gave so much for our great country.

Q: What are your feelings on the current military action in Iraq? Do you generally support President Bush?
JF: I would have rather counter the insurgency and I do not agree completely with the way our Commander-In-Chief has handled the “war”. I believe we should be more forceful in our counteractions.

Q: How has 9/11 changed America?
JF: It has made thinking Americans aware of the threat to the safety of America and awaken the complacent nature of our fellows, hopefully more so for those who were never in harm’s way.