Paul Ferraro

On May 29, 1941, Paul Ferraro was born the eighth of nine children to Sicilian immigrants, Carmelo and Grazia Ferraro in Bristol, Connecticut.

Paul exemplified hard work, patience, and kindness since childhood. He worked a paper route starting at age 8, assisted his father in constructing masonry projects, and worked for his older brothers in their supermarkets through high school. He excelled academically, dutifully attended church with the family, and maintained good relationships with all his siblings and extended family members.

At age 14, Paul decided to become a civil engineer and was the only one of his siblings or parents to earn a college degree. Paul received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree at Cornell University, and a second master’s from the University of Colorado. Even though his parents were conscientious objectors, Paul wanted to serve our country and did so as a commissioned officer in the US Public Health Service between 1964-1966.

In 1965, Paul married Mary Lois Balsam. Their two sons are Timothy and JP. Paul gained employment with the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency and moved his family to Denver, Colorado in 1972. He later worked for the State of Colorado in the Clean Air and Water divisions. Paul sought a balanced approach in his various managerial roles to uphold public health standards while working with businesses and manufacturers to maintain compliance.  Later, Paul joined the private sector, working for an environmental consulting agency, and concluded his career as a consultant for Lockheed Martin, waste water utilities, and other companies.

Throughout their married life, Paul and Mary Lois took part in Christian missionary work. They volunteered with the International Students ministry, Christian Service Brigade, church youth ministry, and Frontier Labourers for Christ (FLC)— a mission based in Thailand. Paul volunteered for FLC for nearly thirty years as a US board member, the chairman, a fundraiser, and an advocate. He helped the organization acquire and develop property in Chiang Mai, Thailand, partnering with the mission’s founder to construct a training campus that continues to serve thousands of marginalized people in Southeast Asia.  In 2020, Paul suffered a permanent brain injury from a fall. Despite the healthcare staff’s and Paul’s best efforts to recover, he transitioned to assisted living then skilled nursing facilities.  Although confined to a wheelchair, Paul continued to bless everyone around him. He developed good relationships with his caregivers and community members, exemplifying Christ with his gentle, caring, joyful demeanor despite his own hardships. The last couple of weeks of Paul’s life, he resided at his son JP’s house and died peacefully on May 12, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, trees, or other tribute items, please help further Paul’s mission work with a donation to FLC.  (The Link for Donations see below)