Father Michael M. Ferraro, a priest of the archdiocese since his ordination by Richard Cardinal Cushing on May 29, 1968, died at his Everett home on Aug. 8, 2022. He was born and raised in Everett and was graduated from Everett High School in 1959. He attended Boston College and then archdiocesan seminaries prior to his ordination.

Born in Everett on July 1, 1940, he was a son of the late Rocco and Elena (Santilli) Ferraro and one of their five children; he is survived by three sisters: Elena Iandoli, Irene, and Mary Kendrick; he was predeceased by his brother, Alexander.

Father Ferraro literally lived, studied, and died within Route 128. His Boston College years were the ones that took him the farthest from Everett -- 15 or so miles; all his priestly assignments were less than that distance from his Everett home.

His parish assignments were at St. John Vianney in Revere's Point of Pines section (1968-1969); St. Anthony of Padua (Italian), also in Revere (1969-1976); St. Ann, Dorchester (briefly in 1988); and what would be the longest of his assignments prior to becoming a senior priest: a quarter of a century at St. Mary, Lynn (1988-2013).

Father Ferraro was also a hospital chaplain at both Grover Manor Hospital, Revere, and Whidden Hospital in Chelsea from 1976 to 1988. During those assignments, he lived in residence at Our Lady of Grace Rectory, Everett.

It was at Lynn that he developed an urban ministry and outreach to the poor. He was famous in the city for his personal attention to the food pantry. He was ever present for the work of the pantry and spent hours managing volunteers and donors.

He also had a reputation as an excellent homilist. Many testified to his obvious serious preparation and his brevity. He had an endless store of jokes that contributed to his appreciation as easygoing and gentlemanly style. Folks said he was not easily riled.

All funeral arrangements and committal services for Father Ferraro were private.