Obituary of Alfred A. Ferrante

Alfred Amedeo Ferrante passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on October 1, 2021, at Mount St. Mary’s Hospital. He was born in Casalbordino, Italy, on August 25, 1931, to the late Giustino and Concetta (Pellicciotti) Ferrante.

He immigrated to America with his mother just after the War in 1947. Setting sail from Naples, Italy, at fifteen years old, he and his mother reunited with his father after an 11-day ocean voyage. They settled in Lockport, NY, where Giustino had established roots in advance of their arrival. Al graduated from Lockport High School in the class of 1951. He proudly served our country in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Quincy from 1951 to 1955.

After serving in the Navy, Al married Dolores, a native of Hazelton, PA, in 1956.  The newlyweds moved to Oakfield, NY, where Al co-owned the Village Inn, the local watering hole, above which he and his young family lived on the second floor. In his free time, Al frequented Batavia Downs where he owned a racehorse named “Campus Gril.” He later moved back to Lockport and worked in the chemistry labs of Simonds Saw & Steel and Domtar, as well as at Jay’s Drugstore. He served as a board member of the Cornerstone Credit Union, and in retirement he worked for Eagle Self Storage, a local business built by his son-in-law Joseph McEachon.

While he had many hobbies, like golfing and gardening, Al was well-known in Lockport as a star bowler. Starting out as a pinsetter at the old Allen’s Alleys on Walnut Street, he went on to compete for over 50 years with the Lockport Bowling Association in numerous local, state, and national bowling tournaments. In his 70s, Al bowled an 800 series, a 300 game, and a career-high season average of 215. In 2010, Al was inducted into the Lockport USBC Bowling Association Hall of Fame.

Al was predeceased by his wife Dolores (Scarcella) Ferrante in 2004 and daughter Carol (Ferrante) Donohue in 2014. He is survived by his daughters Cynthia (Joseph) McEachon and Lisa (David) Blarr; grandchildren Melissa Harris, Adam (Erin) Ferrante, Chris Ferrante, Tyler (Kelsey) Ferretti, Dr. Courtney (Zach) Horton, Taylor McEachon, and Joseph McEachon; and great-grandchildren Nadia and Rocco Ferrante, Gianna and Zelie Horton, and Lola Ferretti. He is also survived by his long-time companion Joyce DeLorenzo.

Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Prudden and Kandt Funeral Home 242 Genesee St., Lockport, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church 168 Chestnut St., Lockport, NY. He will be laid to rest in Cold Springs Cemetery. Visit pruddenandkandt.com.

Please consider making a donation to the FOXG1 Research Foundation (www.foxg1research.org) for Al’s great-granddaughter Gianna.