Dr. Vincent Louis "Vince" Ferrara, aged 84, passed away in his home in Rydal on March 22, 2024. Vince was born on April 3, 1939 at Philadelphia General Hospital to Eugene "Chick" and Philomena "Phil" (Lucia) Ferrara. Vince spent his childhood in South Philadelphia where, according to mom Phil, he was "perfect" and "never did anything wrong ever." He graduated 2nd in his class (disputed) at South Philadelphia High School, went on to graduate Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Pennsylvania (a year early of course), and then on to Temple Medical School to pursue his dream of being a neurosurgeon, graduating Alpha Omega Alpha in 1964.

In 1965 Vince joined the US Army Reserve where he served for 10 years, rising to the rank of Captain. It was during these early years of his career, while working as an intern at the same hospital where he was born, that Vince met student nurse Barbara (according to plan no doubt) and they went on to marry in 1967. Sons Michael and Stephen followed in 1971 and 1974 and the young family moved to Rydal in 1976. They joined Our Lady Help of Christians and Huntingdon Valley Country Club that year and daughter Liza rounded out the family in 1978.

Having realized his dream of becoming a neurosurgeon, Vince operated at hospitals all around the Philadelphia area for the better part of 4 decades, and after retiring from neurosurgery he provided pain management care until just a few years ago. The number of people he helped and lives he touched throughout his long career is immeasurable. Anyone who went anywhere with Vince probably had the experience of bumping into a patient whose face would light up at the sight of "Doc!"

As hard as he worked at his career, he found a way to devote the same passion to his favorite pastime. To say that Vince loved golf doesn't really cover it, his devotion to the game and his improvement (and yours) was legendary. If the weather was remotely accommodating you could find Vince on the course playing a round with great friends, if you were actually up that early. He'd been playing golf since he was a teen at FDR Park in South Philly but it was joining Huntingdon Valley Country Club that really ignited his passion and "The Club" would remain his undisputed happy place for nearly 50 years. No one who knew Vince will be surprised to learn that he played 9 holes on a still-pretty-new hip the day before he passed. His presence there will be deeply missed by so many.

Vince was preceded in death by his parents and many beloved dogs. He is survived by his wife Barbara, their children Michael (Amy), Stephen (Lisa), and Liza, and grandchildren Enzo, Hadley, and Greyson, who adored their "Poppi."

The family will be receiving visitors at Our Lady Help of Christians, 1500 Marian Rd, Abington, PA 19001, on Thursday, March 28 from 9:00 am-10:15 am, with Funeral Mass to follow at 10:30 am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in Vincent's name to Ancillae-Assumpta Academy at:

ancillae.org/support/make-a-gift