Anthony John Ferraro

Anthony John Ferraro, a resident of Spanaway, WA, left this world on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 3:15 AM in Puyallup, WA, leaving behind a legacy of service, intellect, and fierce devotion to his family. He was 81 years old.

Born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, Anthony was the son of the late John and Tomasina Ferraro. He carried an immense, lifelong pride in his Italian and Sicilian heritage, a legacy of culture and deep family values that shaped who he was. After graduating high school, he answered the call to serve his country, joining the United States Navy. From 1965 to 1968, during the height of the Vietnam War, he served honorably as a Damage Controlman 2nd Class (DC2) aboard the attack transport ship USS Pickaway (APA-222). A brave and skilled sailor, he took on the critical frontline duty of piloting landing craft transport boats, to land U.S. Marines safely on the shores of Vietnam.

Anthony was an incredibly artistic and creative soul who always aspired to be an artist, though his greatest masterpiece was the life he built after returning home. He married the love of his life, Margo Anne Morago, and together they shared over 58 years of unwavering devotion and companionship. One year to the day after marrying, he proudly welcomed his son, Daniel Joseph Ferraro. To support his young family, he channeled his physical creativity into his work, excelling as an exceptional custom cabinet builder by trade before transitioning into sheet metal work, dedicating his career to building and creating with his hands. A true Renaissance man, he was entirely self-taught in electricity and plumbing. His remarkable attention to detail was deeply evident in the flawless finish work of every home remodel, repair, or creative hobby he touched.

Family was the absolute center of Anthony's world. He was a fantastic cook who found immense joy in sharing delicious meals and laughter around the table with those he held dear, celebrating his rich heritage through food. Anthony was a man of principles—he carried a strong personality and never hesitated to stand up for what he believed in. While he never attended college, he was an absolute fountain of information; a lifelong learner, he built his own vast world of knowledge curating a personal home library filled with books on history, science, and world events, studying them with a sharp, brilliant mind.

Anthony never lost his artistic spirit or his lifelong appreciation for the music of Elvis Presley, whose songs provided a frequent soundtrack to his life. He spent countless hours building expansive model railroads, precisely customizing model automobile miniatures, and recently crafting model ships—a beautiful nod to his time at sea. He was an avid gardener with an extraordinary green thumb and a gentle, animal lover, who cherished several beloved pet cats over the years.

Anthony leaves behind his beloved wife, Margo Anne Ferraro; his loving son, Daniel Joseph Ferraro and his fiancée Jennie Graddon; and his two adored grandsons, Dominic Daniel Ferraro and his wife Abby Ferraro, and Sebastian Charles Ferraro and his girlfriend Chloé Jones, who will carry his creative spirit forward. He is also survived by his younger brother, John Ferraro; his younger sister, Darlene Ferraro and her husband Frank Barber; his aunt, Norma Todd; a large family including his nieces, nephews, and many cousins; and his lifelong friends, who will miss him deeply. He was welcomed into eternity by his parents, John and Tomasina Ferraro, and his older sister, Rosemary Fowler and her husband Jack Fowler.

A local celebration of Anthony’s life will be held at Three Tree Community Church (16261 1st Ave S, Normandy Park, WA 98148) on Saturday, June 20th. Another celebration, complete with military honors, will be held in Boston, MA on September 19th, with details to be announced. His family welcomes all who knew him to come share stories of a brave veteran, a self-taught scholar, a master builder, and a deeply loved patriarch.