Louis J. Ferrara II, 57, of 307 E. Winter Ave. passed away unexpectedly at 1:03 a.m. Aug. 13, 2011, in Jameson Hospital after suffering a heart attack at home.

Mr. Ferrara was born Nov. 1, 1953, in New Castle, a son of the late Louis J. and Virginia Palmer Ferrara.

He was a 1971 graduate of New Castle High School and served with the Air Force. Louie was a brake press operator for the past two years at RCP New Castle, and was previously employed by Keystone Industries.

He was a member of St. Vitus Church.

Louie's passion in life was umpiring baseball games. He was an active umpire in the area for the nearly 35 years after completing his training in 1977 at the Harry Wendelstedt Umpire School in Daytona Beach, Fla. Louie umpired minor league and collegiate baseball and had the honor of umpiring high school baseball at PNC Park, Pittsburgh. He also umpired Little League, Pony, Colt, American Legion, Babe Ruth and Broco baseball games.

He was a member of the Lawrence County Chapter of PIAA Baseball and Softball Umpires, All American Umpire Association, American Softball Association, the North County League Baseball Association and the Oldtimers Baseball League.

Surviving are his wife and longtime companion, the former Gladys A. French McVay, whom he married Dec. 24, 2006; two sons, Louis J. 'Joe' Ferrara III, serving with the Air Force in Dover, Del., and wife Michelle, and Robert McVay and fiancee Carrie Vasques, both New Castle; a daughter, Shira McVay and fiance Dalian Coombs, both of Towson, Md.; a sister, Luana Sullivan of Killeen, Texas; a brother, David Ferrara and wife Maryann of Michigan; his mother-in-law, Helen French of Pulaski; three grandchildren, Kira, Laurin and Eli; two brothers-in-law, Robert M. French of Pittsburgh and Ben W. Jones of Mansfield, Pa.; two sisters-in-law, Helen A. McAnallen of Pulaski and Debbie French of New Castle; and many loving nieces and nephews who affectionately called him Uncle Lou.

Louie loved his family and cherished the time he shared with them, particularly his grandchildren. They will miss him dearly, and the delicious wedding soup which he prepared every Christmas Eve. May he rest in peace.

In addition to his parents, Lou was preceded in death by two sisters, Antoinette Ferrara and Jennie Lu Ferrara Caldararo; his father-in-law, Robert C. French; a stepson, John Robert McVay; a brother-in-law, Brian P. French; and a sister-in-law, Mary Jo Jones.

Calling hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 16 at the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, 111 W. Falls St. There will be a sharing of memories at 4 p.m. Aug. 16 at the funeral home.

Military rites will be performed at 9 p.m. Aug. 16 at the funeral home by the New Castle Area Veterans Honor Guard.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Aug. 17 at 2:00 p.m. in St. Vitus Church.