Theodore Ferrara

In Memory of Theodore J. (Ted) Ferrara

March 21, 1965 - October 16, 2019

On October 16, 2019 Theodore (Ted) Ferrara , Artist, Musician, and Writer, passed away at the age of 54.

Ted, born on March 21, 1965 in Dunkirk, NY, is the son of Anne Marie and Michael L. Ferrara. He grew up in Little Valley, NY and graduated from Salamanca High School. He then went to Hamilton College (Clinton, NY) and graduated with honors in 1987 with a degree in fine arts and creative writing.  After graduation, he moved to Buffalo, NY where he continued painting and was the founding member of the bands Herr Müeller and Kingpin. But soon, the sounds of The Replacements and Hüsker Dü drew Ted to Minneapolis in 1992.

After quickly settling in to the vibrant south Minneapolis music scene, Ted became an influential musician in the bands Rabbit and Kingpin (v2.0), and numerous musical projects.  In the late 90s he co-founded the Chip Groover Art Collective to showcase his own art work, as well as new works of other emerging artists.

Ted was employed by Bruegger’s Bagels for over 20 years, first as a driver then as Operations Manager.  His latest endeavor took him into the world of restoring hardwood floors and designing customized stains.

Ted was revered for his quick wit, exceptional intelligence, creative mind, encyclopedic knowledge, loyalty to family and friends, and calming hugs.

Beyond his prolific visual art, musical compositions and writings, Ted’s interests were legendary in the diversity and mastery he would apply to each.  He was a DJ, skateboarder, snowboarder, hockey player, musicologist, cook, traveler, avid reader, political pundit, dog dad, hunter, pool shark — referred to by his friends as a “renaissance man.” But above all, Ted was tirelessly devoted to his family and friends — he was the ballast and foundation for a village of people.

He is survived by his mother Anne Marie, father Michael, sister Jennifer, maternal Grandmother Helen, Aunts Mary and Trish, his uncle Joe, cousins Case, Anne and Johnny and his nephews Sebastian and Zach.

The family requests you send donations to Rotta Love Plus in the name of Ted Ferrara. https://arottalove.org/