Michael V. Ferraro

Michael Vincent Ferraro, age 45 of Wynantskill, NY, died on Saturday August 3 very suddenly and unexpectedly while vacationing with his family. Michael was known simply as Mike, ‘Raro, and when in trouble with his mom, his full legal name.

Mike was born in Syracuse, NY on February 14, 1979 to Vincent and Elizabeth Ferraro. Mike was the younger brother of his sister, Jill Ferraro. The family lived in East Syracuse, NY until moving to Delmar, NY in August 1983. Mike attended Slingerlands Elementary School, Bethlehem Central Middle School, and graduated from Bethlehem Central High school in 1997. He attended some college at SUNY Oswego and HVCC. As a kid Mike played soccer, played Tri-Village Little League, played piano and drums, and made lots and lots of friends.

Mike met the love of his life, Amber Lee Pawlikowski, in 2006 while working in the produce section at the Glenmont Price Chopper; she was “his” barista at Starbucks there, their eyes met one day and the rest is history. They were married May 5, 2012 at Sunny Hill Resort and Golf Course in Greenville NY. On July 20, 2019, Mike and Amber became parents to their baby girl and little wonder, Anneliese Willow.

Mike worked for UPS for 14 years in addition to Price Chopper before landing full time employment with the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles where he was promoted quite a few times before achieving his most recent role as a Highway Safety Program Analyst. Mike was also made honorary football champion of his fantasy football league by his friends just after his passing.

Mike had a zest for life like no other; he LIVED and LOVED and had a very vibrant soul. This was evident in all aspects of his life from his boisterous laugh and unmatched sense of humor, to his love for being out on the water, through his group chats with his many many friends, his appreciation of hazy IPA’s and dedication to rating them on Untapped, traveling anywhere and everywhere to see Phish or any live music show, golfing, fantasy football and the 49ers…the list goes on.

As a friend recently said, Mike “lived and loved the loudest in the way he absolutely glowed when his eyes fell upon his three greatest loves: Amber, Anneliese, and Timber”. Everywhere Mike went, he ran into someone he knew, and always made a new friend. Mike was always so helpful, generous, willing to go the extra mile for anyone. A friend recently noted “Mike is an incredible spirit. He had a wonderful way of looking at life without complexity. He loves everyone. And he is kind. I hope we can bring a piece of that spirit into all of our lives as we move forward.”.

Mike is survived by his beloved wife Amber Ferraro and daughter Anneliese of Wynantskill, father Vincent Ferraro of Delmar NY, and sister Jill Elizabeth (Ferraro) Smith of Malta, NY. Mike is also survived by cousins Laurel Dwyer Gergerich (Garth) and their daughter Addy of Norton, MA, cousin Leia Dwyer of Watertown, MA, uncles Carmine Ferraro and Frank Fortunat of Hamburg, NJ, and uncle Robert Dwyer of Providence RI. Mike is also survived by his in-laws Mary and Garry Pawlikowski of Cold Brook, NY, brother in law Shane Pawlikowski and his wife Amy Wilk of New Fairfield, CT, brother in law Chad Pawlikowski, his wife Asia and their sons Kayden and Lucas of Yorkville, NY. In addition Mike is survived by the many many friends he has made over the years, as well as his beloved German Shepard, Timber.

Mike was predeceased by his mother, Elizabeth Conklin Ferraro in 2008, his aunt Ellen Dwyer in 2010, his maternal and paternal grandparents, and many dear close friends.

The family will receive visitors at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar on Sunday August 11th from 4:00 to 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Pl. Delmar on Monday, August 12th at 10:00 am.

Interment will not be done at this time.

A reception will follow; details to be determined and will be posted on social media.

A Go Fund Me has been established for Amber and Anneliese and can be found at https://gofund.me/fa8df2b9. We want to thank Mike’s good friend Marty and his wife Carrie for establishing the Go Fund Me. 

We want to thank everyone who has already donated and provided support in so many ways from providing food to mowing lawns to just being here and helping soothe and comfort us, and help us make plans. It is a testament to how much Mike was loved and will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, go see a live music concert, raise a drink to Mike, and enjoy the show. Mike always loved a good shindig.