James E. Ferriero was born in 1921 in Harrison, New Jersey. During World War II, he proudly served in the United States Army participating in the D-Day landings at Utah Beach. He saw combat in Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. For his service, he received the Normandy Medal from the Republic of France and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African-Middle Eastern Ribbon, Good Conduct, and Victory Medal by the United States Army.
Following World War II, Mr. Ferriero was transferred to the United States Army Reserve where he served for an additional 30 years until his official retirement as a Lieutenant Colonel on March 4, 1981. During his time in the U.S. Army Reserve, Mr. Ferriero graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 1973. Simultaneously, he worked as a loan procurement officer for the Small Business Administration in both New York City and later Newark, New Jersey.
In 1954, Mr. Ferriero relocated to North Arlington, where he would live for the remainder of his life.
A valued member of the community, he participated and was a member of multiple charitable organizations, including the Queen of Peace Holy Name Society, Knights of Columbus Council 3428, Veterans of Foreign War Post 4697, the American Legion Alexander P. Stover Post No. 37, and the Helping Exception People Organization, all based in North Arlington.
His love for North Arlington led him to run for a seat on the borough’s council. At the age of 81, he was elected as a councilman, the oldest freshman councilman in the State of New Jersey, and went on to serve two terms.
James E. Ferriero, 97, passed way on March 13, 2018. He is entombed at Holy Cross Chapel Mausoleum in North Arlington and survived by his children Donna Marie Ferriero, Jane Alice Johnston, Terese Ferriero, and Lisa Joy Valentine; his grandchildren Philip Johnston, Janine Martino, Sarah and Matthew Drasner, and Derek and James DellaVecchia; and his great-grandchildren Megan Kaye, Emma Joy, Paige Elizabeth Johnston, Kayla Joy Martino, Adrianna, Autumn Rose, and Sofia DellaVecchia.
We are grateful for his service to our country!
Nominate a Veteran for #BergenCountyVeteranOfTheWeek
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you?
The #BergenCountyVeteranOfTheWeek social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
Bergen County Division of Veteran Services
The Division of Veterans Services was established in 1977 to provide resident veterans and their dependents with information and assistance in obtaining earned entitlements from federal, state, and local governments, as well as any that are available from the private sector.
Through a quarterly newsletter and direct client contact, the division provides Bergen’s veterans organizations and their auxiliaries and individual residents with up-to-date benefit information.
