Theodore P. "Ted" Ferrato Colonel USAF Ret.

Ted was born in Elkins W. Va., Dec. 29, 1922 to Peter P. and Lucia M. Ferrato. The family moved to Cumberland, Md. when he was 5 years of age. He attended parochial and public schools. He graduated from the US Air Corps Flying School in 1942 as a Pursuit pilot. An active pilot since 1941, Ted served 33 years in the US Air Force. He retired from active duty moving to Incline Village in 1974 after having been a pilot, staff officer, and commander during WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War. With well over 20,000 hours of military and civilian flying, Ted had flown over 120 different aircraft, including jets, amphibians, helicopters and gliders and he was awarded the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.

He has lived in Carson City since 1980. He held a bachelor's degree in industrial management and a master's degree in personnel administration. He attended numerous academic and technical schools including the USAF Squadron Officers School, the Command and Staff School & the Air War College. Following retirement he worked as a consultant in emergency management, a charter pilot and a glider tow pilot. He was a gymnast, an active skier and golfer. He exercised and ran on a daily basis and was a marathon runner. He played squash, racket ball and tennis. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Ted died on February 10, 2008 after a short illness and is survived by his wife of 27 years Beverley (Bee), two sons, William (Delia), Ted (Julie) and four grandchildren, Lance, Christine, Amanda and Jacqueline.

Cremation and internment will be in the family cemetery plot in Elkins, W. Va.

A celebration of life will be held 4-6 p.m. February 29, 2008 at 7205 Meadow Grass Dr., Reno.

"Lost from the Formation Air Corps Men

Air Corps men, they never die, Into the Clouds and away they fly, up and up, beyond the blue with steady hands and a course that's true. And as they fly they look below to see their friends in grief and woe. And then they pause to say a prayer: Dear Lord, comfort my friends who live down there: Tell them I'm going to receive my wings In Heaven above from the King of Kings " - Kathryn Kline