Father Joseph M. Ferraioli, OMI, 73, died suddenly in Belleville, IL, on January 23, 2023. 

Father Joe was born in 1949 to the late Arthur and Ruth (Burgoyne) Ferraioli in Medford, MA. He spent his formative years as a member of the Saint William’s Parish, in Tewksbury, MA. Father Joe graduated from Saint Joseph’s High School in Lowell, MA. In 1967, he joined the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate seminary program, pronouncing his first vows as an Oblate in 1971. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 1977, at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.

Father Joe’s missionary life began in St. Joseph’s Parish in St. Petersburg, FL. He went on to serve in various parishes in New York, West Virginia, Georgia, Michigan, Louisiana, Minnesota and California. He also served as a prison chaplain in Miami, FL. Since 2013 until his passing, he was a member of the St. Henry’s Oblate Community in Belleville, IL, and chaplain at the Benedictine Living Community, located at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.

Father Joe is survived by his siblings, Richard (Nancy) Ferraioli, Ellen (Michael) Scott, and James Ferraioli, as well as his nieces and nephews; Jennifer, Sara, Jeff, Julie and Greg. He will also be missed by the residents and staff at the Benedictine Living Center, and his Oblate brothers.

Friends and family are invited to Fr. Ferraioli’s Visitation at Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA on Monday, January 30, 2023, from 3:00-6:00pm. Evening Prayer will be at 4:30pm.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, January 31st in the Chapel.  To view the Funeral Mass live, please visit https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/837992437

Burial at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury, MA will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Oblate Residence, 486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876 in his memory.