Lawrence J. Ferolie

February 09, 1922 - July 29, 2012

Lawrence J. Ferolie, 90

Loved his family, the law and Italy. All will miss him.

Larry died Sunday, July 29, 2012 in his home, having lived in Rockford, IL, for all but one of those years when he went to his mother's birthplace, Gallarate, Italy to go to school for a year and receive his First Communion. He made over 30 trips to Italy, reconnecting his American family with the Italian cousins his mother sent care packages to during World War II. He was never happier than when sitting with his extended Italian family at their winery, watching his grandchildren run through the vineyards. He was inducted into the Rockford Italian American Hall of Fame.

Larry's paternal grandparents immigrated to the United States in 1895. Their son, Albert, met Tersilla Bottazzi in New York; they married, had two sons Larry and younger brother Charles, who died in 1990. They eventually moved to Rockford, settling on North First Street in an Italian neighborhood.

Larry attended grammar and high school in Rockford, playing football and contributing to the school newspaper. While in high school, he was cast as a lawyer in "Ladies of the Jury” and won his first case. He attended University of Illinois and returned to get his B.A. degree there after World War II in 1947. He received his law degree from John Marshall Law School In 1951. In 1991, the school awarded him a Citation of Merit as a Distinguished Alumni.

In World War II, Larry was a second lieutenant, infantry platoon leader in the 12^th Armored Division, earning a Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge. He remained in the Army Reserves upon his return home.

He began his law career as a Winnebago County assistant state's attorney to Bill Nash; they later became law partners. In 1960, Larry was named city attorney under Mayor Ben Schleicher. In 1964, he opened what is now known as Ferolie & Perrecone, a practice focused on personal injury law. At one time, he was cited as "Winnebago County's Top Plaintiff Attorney”.

Larry was an active member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Assn., serving as Secretary and Treasurer and as a member of the Board of Managers for 26 years. He also served several terms on the Board of Governors of the Illinois State Bar Assn. and served as chairman of its civil practice and procedure as well as tort law sections. He was particularly passionate about continuing education for lawyers, teaching about all aspects of personal injury trials around the nation.

Larry was also active in the Rockford community. He served on the Board of Directors of the Rockford Civic Assn., Crusader Community Health, sponsor of the Rockford Symphony, and was known for many years as the announcer for the Symphony's Summer Concerts at Sinnissippi Park. He was also a member of the American Lombardi Club, Giuseppi Verdi Society, Elks Club, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Reserve Officers Assn., St. James Men's Club, Justinian Society, University of Illinois Alumni Assn. and the University Club of Rockford, whose staff always made him feel at home.

Larry married Gloria Bonomo on April 21, 1951 and they were married for 50 years. She preceded him in death in 2004. They had five children: John, who died in 1992; Terry, who died in 2009, was married to Phil Benson and they have three children, Kristen, Kelly and Phil Jr.; Robert who is married to Mary, has four children, Nick, Sam, Julia and Jake; Carl and his wife Robin have two children, Anthony and Giana; and Albert and his wife Lisa Wells have a son, Henry.  Albert followed his father into the law. Carl and Robert are in sales.

For over 50 years, he also regularly visited New Melleray, a Trappist monastery near Dubuque, Iowa, where he found great solace. The family would like to thank everyone there for their prayers and especially thank friend and law partner, Frank Perrecone and Sue Richardson, friend and caregiver for being such a loyal and positive force in their father's life during his last years.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at St. James Catholic Church, 428 N. 2nd Street Rockford. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 �" 7:00p.m. Friday, August 3 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford and will continue from 9:00 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the church.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130. To express condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com

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Condolences

God Bless you and your family.
Elizabeth Clark

Carl and Family, My deepest condolences for your loss, anyone who has had so much as a glass of wine with Carl knows how warm and special his father was to anyone he knew, but his children in particular.
Aquiles La Grave

Dear Albert, Lisa, Henry & family - We are keeping your dad and all of you front and center in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Your dad's greatest legacy is his family -- and we're sure you all made him very proud. We are very much with you in spirit this weekend, and in honor of your dad we've made a donation to The National World War II Museum, as he would have liked. Love, Wally & Mike
Wally & Mike

Dear Al, Lisa and Henry, Please accept our condolences, you and your family are in our prayers! God Bless, Donna and Tony Czech (Queen of Angels)
Tony and Donna Czech

I am so sorry to hear of Larry's death. He was a great man and I am fortunate to have known him many years ago. Best wishes to Robert, Carl and Albert.
Natalie Swenson

We are sorry we can not attend your celebration of Larry's amazing life. He was truly "One of a Kind"!!! All our love to all of you, Angelo and Barb
Barb Turiciano

So sad to hear that Larry died. He was quite a guy. I didn't know him that well, but was friends with his late son Johnny at Guilford High School. And, I was in the same class at Boylan High School with Francine Bushemi White and Frank Perrecone. I enjoyed sharing my love for Italy with Larry when I would see him at functions at St. Anthony Church. He is reunited with his family that went before him and Rockford was all the better for his presence here. My condolences to Al and the rest of the family. So sad, and at Festa Italiana time too....surely this was not Larry's timing, but His timing.
Valeri DeCastris

Ferolie Family, from the Reitsch Family from former "Hickory Lane" in Rockford, we send our sympathy for the loss of your father. Carl, from your friend Debbi, I send strength to get through this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Debbi Reitsch Mitchell

Larry was a close friend for over 50 years. We spent so many wonderful times together and knew all his children of whom he was so proud. Larry was bigger than life and will be geatly missed! Rest in peace dear friend.
David & Beverly North

I smiled when I saw Larry's picture in the paper because it reminded me of his laughter. He greeted me when I was first starting in the law and I am indebted for his scholarly and fatherly advice. He loved to talk about his family and was so proud of all of his children. Please know that Larry and his family are in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss his laughter.
Gordy Ring