Mary Julia Ferraro

Mary Julia Ferraro passed away peacefully on September 3, 2022 at Sunrise Senior Living in Scottsdale, Arizona. She was born on March 13, 1931, to Margaret and Harold Knapp, and grew up in Whitney Point, New York, the oldest of six children. After graduating from high school, Mary moved to Binghamton to work at the Acme grocery store. There she met the love of her life, Joseph Ferraro. They married on May 20, 1950, went on to have five children, and were happily married for 62 years.
In 1959, Mary and Joe moved to Sidney to purchase a grocery store. Joe’s Master Market was open every day, including Sundays. It was well-known for its seasonal produce, beautiful fruit baskets, freshly baked pies, and rotisserie chickens. People came from miles around to stop in for these specialty items.
Mary and Joe worked side-by-side to open several other businesses, while raising their children in Sidney. They went on to open four more area businesses: Sears Catalog, One-Hour Martinizing, Discount Beverage, and Magic Prints Photo. Their focus on customer service helped these businesses thrive.
In addition, Mary worked as a bookkeeper for Demeree’s car dealership in Bainbridge. She worked for 10 years at a New York State group home for adults in Sidney, before retiring and moving with Joe to New Port Richey, Florida, in 1995. Mary and Joe moved back to Binghamton in 2010 to live closer to family. A few years after Joe passed away in 2012, Mary moved to Sunrise Senior Living in Scottsdale, Arizona, near her daughter, Susan.
Mary enjoyed bringing family together to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Many a weekend, she and Joe would open their home to relatives and friends, where Mary prepared a big meal that always included a home-made dessert. She loved the sounds of a full house and always doted on her grandchildren and the great-grandchildren who were able to know her.
Mary is predeceased by parents Harold and Margaret Knapp, husband Joseph Ferraro, son Thomas Ferraro, sister Marguerite, brothers Warren Knapp (Kay), Nathan Knapp (Shirley), and Duane Knapp (Sandy). She is survived by her sister, Ellen Oliver, daughters, Margaret Booth (Michael), Theresa Harriott (Lloyd), Susan Ferraro, son John Ferraro, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. 
The family would like to thank the staff of Sunrise Senior Living and Sage Hospice, for their wonderful care. In Mary’s honor, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association or Sage Hospice of Scottsdale. 
A graveside service for both Mary and her son, Thomas Ferraro, will be held at 10 am on Saturday, October 22nd, at Calvary Cemetery in Johnson City, New York, followed by a Celebration of Life with family and friends.

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