Ferdinando “Ferd” Carnevale, 70, of Becket, passed away on Thursday, July 07, 2022, at home after a brave seven year battle with cancer.
Ferdinando was born in Pittsfield on August 3, 1951, the son of Bernardo and Rosa (Valenti) Carnevale.
In his early years, Ferd worked as an auto mechanic for Pete’s Motors in Pittsfield. He then had a long career working as a machinist at GE, from where he retired. Ferd was generous with his time as a volunteer with many organizations. He was a Boy Scout Leader with Pack & Troop 20 at Sacred Heart Church. A multifaceted volunteer with the former Becket Volunteer Ambulance Squad, Ferd served as its treasurer and one of its directors, an on-call EMT, the emcee of Saturday night bingo, and even a helper in the construction of the BVAS building/garage.
Ferd served as a dedicated union steward for GE Union 255, a role where he assisted his colleagues in resolving many issues. Ferd also volunteered as a coach/umpire for many Pittsfield youth sports, and was an active member of the former Mt. Carmel Parish. Ferd was also a member with the Piston Poppers car club. He enjoyed attending many turkey/ham shoots at the Lenox Sportsman’s Club with his son. He and his wife were members of the former GEAA Rifle & Pistol Club where they participated in many shooting contests. Ferd was a long-time fan of the Dallas Cowboys and collected memorabilia, especially from their championships in the 90s.
Ferd was a classic and muscle car aficionado, taking tremendous pride in his own classic car which he painstakingly restored to factory specs, subsequently earning many awards and trophies over the years at various local and regional auto shows. His muscle car was featured in many classic car calendars. Ferd’s first language was Italian and he was very proud of his heritage. He shared with his family his enthusiasm for Italian food and cooking, and passed his mother’s traditional recipes on to his children.
In addition to his wife of 37 years, Donna (Broga), Ferd leaves behind his son Peter (Jamie Tierney), his stepson Aidan Clement, and his stepdaughter Sara Clement (Ken Gibson). He also leaves behind his grandson Charlie Carnevale and his granddaughter Serena Gibson, both of whom he adored. Ferd leaves his two sisters Clorinda Grady and Anna Maria Murray (John); his niece Traci Grady and his nephews Shaun Grady and Derek Grady (Kim); his siblings-in-law Diane Theriault and Armine & Dick Cooper; and many, many other nieces, nephews, and cousins to whom he was very close.
Besides his parents, Ferd was predeceased by his siblings-in-law Robert Grady, Duane & Kathy Broga, Albert Theriault, Sandra & Harold Mills, his cousin Cindy Mills, his nephews Robert Basinait Sr., Tony Brown, and Duane Broga Jr., and many half brothers and sisters.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, 9 AM, at St. Mary’s Church in Lee. Burial will follow in the North Becket Cemetery. Visiting Hours will be Tuesday evening, 4-6 PM, at the Kelly Funeral Home in Lee.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Ferd’s memory to either Hospice Care in the Berkshires or the American Cancer Society in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238.