Dr. Peter Ferrino
Dr. Peter Ferrino, who practiced medicine in East Boston for nearly seven decades and was part of the fabric of the community has died. Dr. Ferrino died suddenly at his home in Winthrop three months shy of 100 birthday.
Dr, Ferrino was born and raised in East Boston, the son of the late Josephine (Tardo) and Enrico Ferrino and attended schools here. He graduated from East Boston High School in 1932.
He went on to graduate from Middlesex College and then went on to the Kansas City Medical School.
After graduating from medical school he returned to East Boston in 1941 where he set up his practice in Eastie at 79 Meridian St, in an era where doctors made house calls. Because of East Boston’s geographical isolation from other large hospitals and prior to the opening of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Dr. Ferrino, like other independent physicians in the neighborhood, treated countless residents over the years.
He spent most of his life here at his practice and worked as a doctor here for 67 years before retiring in 2008 at the age of 93.
After his retirement Dr. Ferrino was a mainstay a community events and celebrations and, along with his brother the Honorable Judge Joseph Ferrino, was a fixture at dinners and other social engagements. After his retirement and his younger brother’s retirement from the bench at East Boston District Court the two brothers could be found regularly dining at Rino’s Restaurant on Fridays and receiving homage from the younger generation that admired and respected the two elder professionals.
While he had not been active for several years in the East Boston Kiwanis Club, Dr. Ferrino, like his brother who has served with the Kiwanis for 45 years, dedicated a good portion of his life to help further the education of kids in East Boston, especially those from his Alma Mater East Boston High.
“All I can say about Dr. Ferrino is that he was very supportive of our community and attended many Kiwanis events,” said Kiwanian Marisa DiPietro, a friend of both Dr. Ferrino and Judge Ferrino. “He was a very kind, compassionate man, but what I remember most is his wonderful sense of humor. He was a pleasure to be around.”
He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Association, the American Medical Association, a life member of the Winthrop Lodge of Elks, the Winthrop Son’s of Italy and the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.
He was the devoted husband of the late Julia M. (Vena) and the loving father of Jo Ann Levaggi of Winchester and Henry P. Ferrino of Naples, Florida. He was the dear brother of the Hon. Joseph Ferrino of Winthrop and Annette Nazzaro of East Boston. He was the cherished grandfather of Lisa Borter, Lori MacIsaac and Lesli Porterfield. He is also survived by 6 great grandchildren.