Bernard J.Ferrara
230 Edinburgh Avenue
Monterey, California   93940
 (831) 373-3945   
 bjferrara@comcast.net 
Spouse: Jean-Marie  BHS '56
Children: 4
Grandchildren: 3  
 Year married: 1957    
Bernie and his wife, Jean-Marie (nee Norman, a Maywood BHS grad of 1956) reside in Monterey, California.  After a year of college at NYU he enlisted in the U.S.Navy where he completed his BS degree in 1975 and his Master of Science degree in 1978.  His military assignments took him and sometimes the family to Germany, Japan, England, the Aleutian Islands of Alaska and Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territories (sans the family).  Following his promotion to Commander in 1987 he assumed command of the US Naval Security Group Activity, Galeta Island and was there during the US invasion of Panama and the ouster of dictator Manual Noriega in 1989.  He retired from active duty in July, 1992 after 37 years of service.
The Ferrara's most unforgettable experience was really an episode, while they were stationed in Panama.  After being there for 2 years, the tensions between the US forces and General Manuel Noriega's Panamanian Defense Forces began to heat-up.  Bernie and his wife lived at the same fort as the US and Panamanian forces when Bernie was notified of the imminent secret invasion of Panama and the subsequent capture of General Noriega.  For 3 days Jean-Marie was home alone, sometimes hiding in the closet, with their cat.  She only heard the gunfire and mortar rounds and wasn't aware of the destruction, until Bernie was able to get home and relate the details.  ( Very scary, that one!)

Following his Naval career, he started a new career as Business Manager at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History in January, 1993, where he remained until his retirement in December, 2001.

 His special interests naturally lean toward art (if you remember Bernie was voted the male "best artist" back in 1954).  As an accomplished and gifted artist, he sits on the Board of Directors as a member of the Central Coast Art Assn.

Loretta Fish Thompson
9-11 Marshall Rd
Fairlawn,NJ 07410
201-796-8046		  


We have been unable to contact Loretta. Hopefully she is well and has had a rewarding life after BHS. Best wishes from all of us.