Lt. Commander John Benedict “Jack” Ferruggiaro (USN-ret.), passed away on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at his home on Gwynn’s Island, Virginia, surrounded by loved ones. He was a cherished father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, as well as a proud Navy SEAL whose charismatic presence and storied life will be profoundly missed by all who knew him.
Jack was born on June 8, 1936 in Asbury Park, New Jersey, to John and Amelia Ferruggiaro of Belmar, New Jersey. After graduating from St. Rose High School in 1954, he enrolled at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he met his future wife of 56 years, Carole Koscielski.
Following his graduation from King’s College in 1959, Jack attended the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School (Class ’46) in Newport, Rhode Island. He was commissioned as an Ensign in 1960, marking the beginning of a distinguished and honorable 20-year career in the United States Navy.
His early notable assignments included serving as Damage Control Assistant and Liquid Cargo Officer aboard the fleet oilers U.S.S. Truckee (AO-147) and U.S.S. Kaskaskia (AO-27). Jack achieved the status of “Honor Man” upon graduating from the U.S. Naval Amphibious School in 1965 and joined SEAL Team Two. He went on to serve as Platoon Commander, Operations Officer, and Executive Officer of Underwater Demolition Team Twenty-Two; Special Operations/Unconventional Warfare Officer on the Commander Naval Forces Vietnam Staff; and Operations Officer with Naval Special Warfare Group Detachment, Vietnam Staff. From 1970 to 1972, he served as Commanding Officer of SEAL Team Two.
Jack’s leadership and valor were recognized with numerous medals including the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V,” the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Achievement Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with Campaign Star. He also earned the Navy and Marine Corps Parachutist insignia.
After retiring from the Navy in 1980, Jack embarked on a successful second career as Director of Operations for Seaward Marine Services and later as Founder and Principal of Southern Bay Boats, where he pursued his lifelong passion for building and restoring boats. His love for the sea remained constant throughout his life, as did his dedication to recreational boating safety. For decades, Jack served as a volunteer leader of the National Boating Safety Council, where he played a key role in developing uniform safety standards that continue to guide the boating industry today.
Jack’s personal life was enriched by a wide range of interests and pursuits. Beyond his lifelong passion for boating, he is remembered for his generosity, unwavering moral compass, and steadfast devotion to his family and his country. He cherished the companionship of his dogs, enjoyed basketball, and rarely began a day without a strong cup of black coffee. A devoted reader, Jack believed that books could transport him anywhere in the world and provide the knowledge for anything he wished to learn. Seldom without a book in hand, he was a passionate advocate for public libraries, particularly at the county level. At the Mathews County Library, where he was a familiar presence, Jack shared his love of reading by writing reviews and offering thoughtful recommendations to fellow patrons.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John and Amelia; his sister, Joan; his wife, Carole, and his cherished dogs, Sidney, Myers, Chesapeake, and Rudder. He is survived by his children, John E. Ferruggiaro, Susan (Michael) Schafer; his grandchildren, Madison and Mikey; his brother, Jimmy and sister-in-law Wendy; nieces and nephews, Alana, Sarah, and David.
Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery on October 3, 2025 where Jack and Carole, who passed in 2019, will be laid to rest together in a joint burial with full military honors. In 2026, Jack’s legacy will also be commemorated through inclusion in the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM). Jack died from a rare disease caused by exposure to Agent Orange during his service in Vietnam in 1969.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the UDT-SEAL Association in support of the John B. Ferruggiaro Scholarship Program, which reflects Jack’s lifelong passion for reading and his deep commitment to community. Donations may be made online at www.udtseal.org. For additional information or to send the family condolences, please contact John Ferruggiaro at johnferruggiaro@yahoo.com
A heartfelt thank-you to the staff at Riverside Hospice for the extraordinary care they gave my father. I will always be grateful for their compassion and dedication. They are, without a doubt, proof that there are angels on earth.