Sophie A (Greco) Ferrara

Sophie Greco Ferrara passed away peacefully on January 24, 2019 surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Thomas J. Ferrara, President and Founder of Genesee Bakery Supply Company, Albany, NY. The eldest daughter of Anthony and Anna (Castellano[KB1]) Greco, Sophie was raised in Amsterdam, NY. She graduated from the College of Saint Rose, class of 1942, and enjoyed a long and successful tenure as a high school business teacher in both Amsterdam and Syracuse. In her early career, Sophie served as the Administrative Assistant to the Mayor of Amsterdam and spent several years during WWII in the Business Office for the US Army. Devoted to her faith, Sophie was a communicant of St. Gabriel’s Parish and a long-time member of the Saint Rita and Saint Sofia Societies affiliated with Saint Michael’s Parish in Amsterdam. She was a proud member of the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association and the Schenectady Alumni Chapter of the College of Saint Rose, and also served as an alumni volunteer at St. Clare’s Hospital. In her free time, Sophie enjoyed sewing, knitting and teaching others the lost art of tatting. Most of all, Sophie treasured her time spent with family and friends. On Sundays, you could find her in the kitchen, cooking dinner to share with loved ones. Sophie was born into a loving Italian family that maintained strong values centered on an outstanding work ethic, a strong faith and a dedication to family. She exemplified those values in every aspect of her life and has truly left a remarkable legacy for her children and grandchildren to follow. Sophie is survived by her three children, Carmine Ferrara (Patricia) of Rotterdam, daughters Marianne O’Connor (James) of Westborough, MA, and Rita Dillon (James) of Guilderland, NY; brother, Daniel Greco of Amsterdam, NY; sister Olga Greco of Amsterdam; as well as her six beloved grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother Louis Greco, formerly of Rotterdam. A calling hour will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 from 10:15 – 11:15 am at St. Madeleine Sophie Church, 3500 Carman Rd., followed at 11:30 by a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be in the spring at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Johnstown. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Ingersoll Place, especially to Dr. Roberta Miller [KB2]for her kind care and compassionate support, and to Sophie’s caregiver, Donna Connell, who brought laughter and positivity to each day they spent together. Sophie will always be loved, missed and remembered by her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions made in honor of Sophie’s life and legacy to the Thomas J. and Sophie G. Ferrara Memorial Scholarship C/O The College of Saint Rose, Office of Institutional Advancement, 432 Western Ave. Albany, NY 12203.