Roland Luigi Ferrera, 75, of Madison, West Haven, Sun Lakes, Arizona, and Leominster, Massachusetts, passed away at home on Oct, 20. Roland was born to Dorothy (Dot) Thrasher and Luciano (Luigi) Ferrera in Leominster, Massachusetts.
He leaves his loving fiancé and partner of 18 years, Nancy Hartzell; son John D. (Bunky) Ferrera, daughter-in-law Anna, grandson John M. (Jake), and granddaughter Monica L., of Davis, California; son Michael J. (Runt) Ferrera; son-in-law Gregg Boyd of Los Angeles; former wife and mother of their two sons, Esther Riggs Ferrera, of Madison; many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins across the country and in Italy; and patriarch Uncle Oscar P. Thrasher, Jr., and his wife Patricia of Falmouth, Massachusetts.
He graduated in 1960 from Leominster High School, and from Arizona State University (B.S., construction management) in 1967. He was president of the Sigma Lambda Chi National Construction Fraternity, and president of the ASU Construction Society. He greatly enjoyed his continued relationships with classmates through the years. After a few years on construction assignments throughout New England, the Ferreras lived in West Haven for seven years before building their first home in Madison in 1975. For the past several years, Roland and Nancy have enjoyed winters in Sun Lakes, Arizona. He was active at St. Andrew’s Church for many years, serving as a youth group coordinator and deacon. He was also a member of the Exchange Club of Madison for many years.
Roland had a long and distinguished career as a construction executive and project manager for such internationally renowned companies as AMEC, Bovis, Sverdrup, and Gilbane. Having started as a laborer, he worked in virtually every role in the industry, appreciating every contributor to his projects from tradesmen to the CEO. Most recently, he formed the Ferrera Construction Group in 1996, using his decades of expertise to advise an international clientele on all facets of planning, development, and construction. He was active in the national Associated General Contractors, sharing his knowledge and mentoring young construction professionals.
Roland was a world traveler and loved his family above all else. He most enjoyed visiting his sons in California and his ancestral home and relatives in Rome, Italy, and his Falmouth family at the Cape. His grandchildren were his favorite topic of conversation and greatest source of pride. But all of his relatives felt how important they were, enjoyed his laughter and storytelling, and being the center of his attention. Always one to enjoy others’ company, Roland deeply valued his friendships and the competition with his partners and opponents at the Madison Country Club and with the Shoreline Golf Society. He will leave a large hole in many hearts.
A wake was held on Oct. 24 at Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison. A funeral service took place on Oct. 25 at St. Andrew’s Church, 232 Durham Rd., Madison. A brief ceremony was held at the West Cemetery, Boston Post Road, before a reception in his honor at the Madison Beach Hotel.
