Samuel L. Ferraro; Longtime Restaurant Owner

Samuel L. Ferraro, the owner of Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant, died Friday at St. John’s Medical Center in Oxnard. He was 76.

Ferraro was born on July 21, 1922, in Woodbridge, N.J. A World War II and Korean War veteran, he also served in Lebanon. He was a sergeant in the Army, retiring after 22 1/2 years of service.

Ferraro married his wife, Betty, in 1957. They lived in Florida and moved to Ventura County 32 years ago. He has owned the Ventura eatery for the last 29 years.

More than 28 years ago, Ferraro, who was looking for good quality meat to supply his restaurant, established a business and personal relationship with Allen Jue, the owner of Jue’s Market.

“There will never be another Sam. In my eyes, he was the American dream: a distinguished military career, a successful businessman and a loving family. He hit the grand slam of life, and I will miss a very dear friend,” Jue said.

Ferraro was an avid golfer and a member of the Buenaventura Men’s Golf Club.

He is survived by his wife, Betty, of Ventura; a son, Ross, of Las Vegas; a daughter, Sarah Triana of Ventura; two brothers, Angelo and Martin, both of Woodbridge, N.J.; a sister, Dolores Dobrosielski of Highland Park, N.J.; and five grandchildren.

Ferraro’s daughter said the restaurant will be closed Wednesday and Thursday but will reopen Friday.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m.

A Mass is scheduled at 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of The Assumption Catholic Church in Ventura. Burial with full military honors will be at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home in Ventura.