Bob Ferraro, 'the man in the van',
in the 2008 July 4th Parade.
Plainfielders will be saddened to learn of the death on Sunday of former city council member Bob Ferraro.
Known to one and all as 'the man with the van', Bob was arguably one of Plainfield's most colorful political figures in recent decades. When he was not on the road, constituents and others could find him more often than not holding forth at the Queen City Diner on South Avenue, which had been his unofficial 'office' since the days when it was known as Rena's Diner.
Before, during and after his stint on the City Council, Bob could be seen riding the streets in his trademark blue van, scouting for issues that needed to be addressed by Public Works, Code Enforcement or the Police Division.
Though he was only ever elected from the 2nd Ward, residents throughout the city knew they could call him day or night if they had an issue or a concern, and that he would go to work on their behalf and report back to them on the action(s) he got the City to take.
Bob's kind of grassroots, populist politics was very 'in your face' and garnered him loads of press coverage over the years, as opposed to less press-savvy (or more timid?) political figures who shared similar public responsibilities as his.
I'll never forget the 'wild dogs' scare of a decade or so ago, when there were incidents of roaming dogs attacking people in the 4th Ward. Bob personally cruised the neighborhoods, searching for packs of dogs on the loose and was involved in one chase through several back yards trying to corral the evasive critters.
In his haste to make political points, Bob occasionally took liberties with the facts -- I remember in particular challenging him in a public forum when he misrepresented the qualifications and job history of Norton Bonaparte, who became City Administrator under the late Mayor Al McWilliams.
Though he made his way operating an independent limo service, with a devoted clientele, Bob's final job was with the Plainfield Municipal Utilities Authority, where he was an inspector. The irony of his position was not lost on Bob or his friends, who often noted that he was among the Council members who sued to stop the implementation of the PMUA in its early days, a suit which cost Plainfield taxpayers considerably.
But, when all was said and done, Bob was regarded with affection by city residents who often enough found other elected officials much slower to respond to their issues and complaints.
When Bob decided to run for mayor in this past spring's Democratic primary (he had also run in the past as a Republican and an independent -- thus covering ALL the bases), I ran into him one day at the Muhlenberg Station Post Office where he told me that he was doing it '... because I really enjoy running, and I think the Lord gave me the time to do it...' He also confided to me at the time that it wouldn't bother him if he DIDN'T get elected -- 'All the fun is in running, not in having to put up with the games that get played when you sit on the Council'.
To me that statement -- 'All the fun is in running' -- pretty much is Bob's political philosophy in a nutshell.
Bob, we shall all miss you.
Our sympathy goes out to Bob's family and many friends in the community.
Memorial Service for Bob Ferraro
Memorial Funeral Home
155 South Avenue
Fanwood
Wednesday - December 9
6:00 - 9:00 PM (corrected)
Memorial Funeral Home
155 South Avenue
Fanwood
Wednesday - December 9
6:00 - 9:00 PM (corrected)
In lieu of flowers, Bob asked that donations be made to Deborah Hospital,
at which his successful heart surgery had been performed.
Online contributions can be made by credit card at the
Deborah Hospital website (see here), or send checks to:
Deborah Hospital Foundation, 20 Pine Mill Road, Browns Mills, NJ 08015.
Condolences may be left online at Memorial Funeral Home (here)
or sent to the family at: 1218 Martine Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060.
- Courier: "Community watchdog dies at 77"
- Also see Plaintalker here; Olddoc here.
- Obituary: Courier | Ledger
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5 comments:
Bob was a neighbor when I lived over on Prospect Avenue, and he always stopped for a chat when I was out working on the lawn. It was fun arguing politics with him--yes, a lot of Bob's fun was in "running" for office--although I managed campaigns for candidates who opposed him, Bob was always pretty nice about it--we were neighbors, after all. Rest in peace, Bob.
Rebecca
I am sure he is in heaven now telling God that he is there with his blue van ready to patrol the heavens. We will miss the man in the blue van. Rest in peace,Bob.
Without him it makes more sense then aver to cancel the July 4th Parade to save $$$. Let people barbacue among their neighbors and come out for fireworks. The parade is just a money maker in overtime.
Bob not only felt passionately about Plainfield politics but truly cared for the people that live here. He had a vast knowledge of the RMS Titanic and was on the one of the ships that brought up artifacts from the wreckage. He was willing to go out of his way to help someone even when he was busy himself. I am truly honored to have called him my friend and he will be dearly missed. Nimrod Webb
I resently found out about the death of the best father Ive ever none, as a foster child who lived for 2.5 years whith the Ferraros, I can without any reservations say mom and dad ferraro had the greatest impact on my life. I am a successful man in all areas of life because of them.When all others failed me dad and mom did not. God has a special place for you dad in heaven. RICKEY
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