By Jennifer La Lima
"He was a fearless player who would stand up to anybody," said Tiefenwerth. "He was someone who just went out there and gave it his all every time."
In a moving ceremony, the Bulldogs recently retired Ferro's number 8 jersey. The Mepham high school freshman was killed at age 14 when he was struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle in June 1999.
Family and friends filled Newbridge Ice Arena in Bellmore for Ferro's jersey retirement. Varsity assistant captains Michael Powers, Brandon Loney and David Greenberg unveiled a memorial banner inscribed with Ferro's name and jersey number. The banner now hangs high on the wall at Newbridge.
Stephen's parents, Mark and Cherrilyn Ferro of Bellmore, attended the unveiling, and said they were honored that so many people turned out to pay homage to their son. A collection of memories prepared by Cherrilyn was read aloud by friend and Bulldogs parent representative Carol Ohriner, who remembered Ferro as a boy who lived for hockey.
Ferro started playing street hockey at age 7. Cherrilyn said her son was always small for his age, but he made sure to make his presence known when playing hockey. By age 9, he was playing on roller and ice hockey teams.
Cherrilyn reflected on her son's love of the outdoors -- how he enjoyed climbing trees, walking on stilts and riding anything with wheels, beginning with a battery-operated toy Jeep that he got for Christmas at age 4.
Ferro liked to make people laugh, and loved to have fun. "He was the type of kid everyone liked," said Cherrilyn. "He had friends at the rinks, at school and at church."
Ferro was active in his church youth group, where he had many friends. But hockey kept him busy most of the time. He played no other team sport.
Mark and Cherrilyn Ferro deeply appreciated that so many past and current Bulldogs attended the ceremony to honor their son. Many had never played with him.
Mark always supported his son's involvement in youth hockey. He continues to coach for Island Wide High School Roller Hockey.
The Bulldogs established the Stephen Ferro Award, given annually to a player from each division who exemplifies team spirit and sportsmanship. Last year the award went to junior-varsity player Sean Gelbwaks, freshman player Cole Grubman and varsity player Brandon Loney.
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