Former bishop’s legacy
lives in isle education
More than 4,000 students in Hawaii Catholic schools have received tuition scholarships through a foundation that is the legacy of former Honolulu Bishop Joseph Ferrario.
Although he retired as leader of the Catholic diocese in 1993, Ferrario continued to work as first vice president and chief executive officer of the Augustine Educational Foundation. He founded the agency with funds raised from the sale of Waikiki land that formerly housed St. Augustine parish school.
Services will be held Thursday and Friday for Ferrario, who died Friday in St. Francis Hospital at age 77.
The body will lie in state Thursday at Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, 1184 Bishop St., which will be open for visitation from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. A vigil service will be held at 6 p.m.
The public viewing will continue after 8 a.m. Friday at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa, 712 N. School St.
Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with Bishop Francis DiLorenzo presiding.
Burial will be at 1 p.m. in Hawaiian Memorial Park.
Ferrario was born in Scranton, Pa. He is survived by sister-in-law Marianne Ferrario, nephews Jerry and Joseph Ferrario, and nieces Lisa Malos and Lora Langan.
The family requests that flowers be omitted. Donations may be made to the Augustine Educational Foundation, 6301 Pali Highway, Kaneohe, HI 96744.
"This was the bishop's mission," said foundation Director Sue Ferandin. She said Ferrario worked Friday and was elated that day because of a recent donation from a mainland resident.
By creating the foundation early in his 11-year term as bishop, Ferrario succeeded in turning around the negative reaction from island Catholics at the closing of the Waikiki school, which was ordered by his predecessor.
Ferandin said the 402 scholarships awarded this year are an all-time high. Some $2.4 million has been given to 4,118 students since 1984.
An additional $200,000 has been awarded in teacher curriculum grants.