Michael "Mike" J. Ferragamo

Michael "Mike" Joseph Ferragamo died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, 8th of February 2025. His was a life full of love, learning, and laughter.

Mike was a passionate and committed professor for over 25 years. His fascination for Neuroscience never dimmed, he discovered the wonder of the field as a young student and enjoyed it to the end. He was so enthusiastic to read about each new discovery. As a teacher he inspired legions of students to find beauty and excitement in science and to make it part of their lives. He loved to learn, he read widely for pleasure – our house is full of books on literature, history, philosophy, biographies, nature, and biology. His one stated regret was for “all the books I won’t be able to read.”

Mike made time for people. He would always stop and chat because he was genuinely interested and remembered names and details. His warmth and humor endeared him to people from all walks of life. He made a difference to many people; students at the college, colleagues, and members of every community he lived in. Mike cherished being with people and was blessed with good friends. He touched the lives and hearts of so many people.

Above all else, Mike was a devoted husband, to Janine, and father to his daughters, Alys and Mariel. He brought joy and laughter to every day. His quiet support and steady love were incomparable and a source of great comfort, even now. His enjoyment of music, love of learning, and delight in the natural world have been passed to his daughters who are grateful for such priceless gifts.

He is preceded in death by his father Joseph and survived and dearly missed by his mother, Jeanne and siblings, Diane, John, and Linda. His mother-in-law, Margaret and sister-in-law, Luci and her husband, John, loved him as their own.

Mike's memorial/celebration will be on Saturday 31st May from 2-5pm at Chankaska Winery (Creekside) https://www.chankaskawines.com/. Highway 22 will be closed but access to Chankaska will be possible via Kasota - The winery website has detour directions. We anticipate that we will have a short program starting around 2:30 with a few speakers who have known different parts of his life. We would be delighted to see you there and if you have stories that you want to share we would love to hear them. So if you can...come share a toast and a few laughs.

Please do not send flowers. If you wish to mark his life with a gift then consider spreading kindness through donations to causes he believed in such as UNICEF, Red Cross, or Dollars for Scholars.