Maria Ferrara, 92, of Forked River, NJ passed away on July 18, 2024. Maria was born in Calatafimi, Italy. Maria came to America from Italy in 1956 and immediately started creating an awarding and successful career. She was a hardworking entrepreneur who turned a job sewing buttonholes on lady’s coats at a manufacturing factory in Newark, NJ into a role as a factory supervisor.  Eventually she started her own manufacturing company that soon became one of the largest and most successful in the area. This continued for over 50 years. She lived a wonderful life in America alongside her family.  

Mrs. Ferrara is predeceased by her husband Vincenzo Ferrara in 2008 and by her great granddaughter Marissa Florie in 2002, Surviving are four children, Rose Viola and her husband Andrea, Maria Sisco, Vincent Ferrara and wife Robin, and Gaspare Ferrara, eleven grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren. 

A viewing for family and friends will be held on Monday, July 22, 2024, from 10:00-12:00pm at Mastapeter Memorial Home, 270 Atlantic City Blvd., Bayville, NJ 08721, followed by a service at 12:30pm at Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River.  

The family would like all donations to be made to the Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia, 39th and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia in honor of Maria Ferrara.