Francis "Frazier" Ferrara

Francis “Frazier” Ferrara passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, April 28, as a result of complications from cardiac arrest due to congestive heart failure. He was 66 years old.

When Frazier was a child, he inherited an early love for midcentury modern architecture (MCM) from his parents who designed and built a chic redwood MCM home in Huntington, Long Island.

An exceptional student, Frazier attended high school at LaSalle Military Academy in Oakdale Long Island, NY. He achieved the Jr ROTC rank of Captain of the LaSalle Rifles trick Drill Team. This highly competitive, elite team was the pride of the Academy performing impressive maneuvers with their rifles including throwing and catching them within ranks as well as the more hazardous version - which they were nationally famous for - of doing so with sharpened bayonets! He took his company to the Regional Drill Team competition prior to his graduation in 1977. He was a member of the National Honor Society and graduated 4th in his class.

After high school, Frazier attended Parsons School of Design in New York City and began his career as a graphic designer for several different national magazines including First Magazine For Women and several other Conde Nast publications.

Frazier later shifted his professional focus and applied his design skills to property renovation. He went on to start his company, “Raised Modern,” with his father which focused on the restoration of multiple MCM buildings and dwellings in Manhattan and New Jersey.

He relocated to the Tampa Bay area in the early 90’s and renovated over 35 different commercial, multifamily and residential properties. These properties were often in disrepair before he transformed them into modern, midcentury style master pieces.

Over the years, Frazier’s forward-thinking designs resulted in numerous recognition awards including a 2019 AIA/Preserve the Burg Preservation Rehabilitation Award for his infamous “Dome House,” a 2019 Parade of Homes Best in Class Award, and a 2019 Parade of Homes Grand Award for his staging work with Kasper Modern. Frazier’s completed renovation projects were featured in many publications including the Tampa Tribune, Creative Loafing and the St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times.).

In addition to MCM renovations, he specialized in buying and selling authentic architectural MCM furniture, lighting and artwork. He was hired to furnish and stage hundreds of homes and businesses across the USA with his rare and valuable finds. Additionally, Frazier had a strong appreciation for vintage collectible cars, with a special fondness for 1965 - 1968 Mustangs. With his clean, straightforward style aesthetic, he left an indelible mark on a broad network of clientele.

He is survived by his sister Roseann, his Uncle and Godfather Raymond, as well as 8 cousins and their families in Florida, New York, Colorado and Georgia. He leaves behind many close friends and neighbors across the country who sought his design expertise. As a cherished and loyal friend, Frazier will long be remembered as a magnetic, creative force in the community, for his sharp comedic wit, and his kind and generous heart.

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Frazier's desire to preserve buildings & dwelling as well as his love of Chihuahuas (especially his late dog Raymor who went everywhere with him) please feel free to make a donation in his memory to either of the following organizations:

Preserve The Burg preservetheburg.org

Limbo Chihuahuas, Dog Rescue, Pasadena, Florida.  https://www.limbochihuahuas.org