Obituaries

Joseph Paul Ferrario was a lifelong resident of the Decoto area, which was incorporated into Union City in 1959. A volunteer firefighter for Decoto, he became the first firefighter hired by the city of Union City and retired in 1979 after a 27-year career. He also served his country in World War II as an Infantryman with the Fifth Army. He was a member of American Legion Post #837 (Newark-Washington Township) and the California State Firefighters Association.

As a youth, Joe enjoyed gardening and showing produce at the County Fair. This continued through his life, as he spent much of his free time in his garden, growing tomatoes and other produce that he happily shared with friends and family. Joe always had a passion for baseball. As a young man, he played semi-pro baseball with a local Decoto team and loved rooting on the SF Giants through the years. He was also supportive of his wife?s advocacy work for her disabled brother and regularly traveled to the Sonoma Developmental Center for visits and meetings.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Cesare and Maria Ferrario. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary; children, Julia (Rudy) and Paul (Julie); brother-in-law, Frank Magliotto; 8 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 24, from 4-8pm with a Vigil at 7pm at Fremont Chapel of the Roses, 1940 Peralta Blvd., Fremont, CA 94536. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, July 25, 10am at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 703 C St., Union City, CA 94587. Burial will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Hayward, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to your favorite charity or to the Parent Hospital Association (PHA) at the Sonoma Developmental Center, P.O. Box 237, Eldridge, CA 95341.