Peter F. Ferracuti

Peter F. Ferracuti, 91, of Ottawa passed away Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center. Private family services will be held. Ottawa Funeral Home has been entrusted with his services. Peter was born March 11, 1926 in Ottawa, Illinois to Domenic and Linda (Orsini) Ferracuti. He married the love of his life, Janis Carder, on January 11, 1985 in Chicago, Illinois and they were married almost 33 years at the time of his passing. He graduated in 1944 from Ottawa Township High School and was the proud President of his Senior Class. After high school, he proudly served in the United States Navy from 1944 - 1946 during WWII in the Pacific Theater. Peter graduated in the upper 3% of his class from the University of Illinois, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a double major in Political Science and Psychology. Thereafter, he received his law degree from the University of Illinois Law School. Immediately thereafter, he was licensed to practice in the State of Illinois. Since 1983, Attorney Peter F. Ferracuti has been listed in several editions of the national publication, "Best Lawyers in America", being 1 of only 18 civil litigation attorneys similarly recognized from the State of Illinois in that publication. He is an active member of the American Association for Justice, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and the Workers' Compensation Lawyers of America. He is a life member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. This honor is limited to Attorneys who have won multi-million dollar verdicts, awards and settlements. Fewer than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members. Peter was a proud honorary member of the Ottawa River Rescue Squad. He is survived by his wife, Janis; three children, Alexis Ferracuti, Drew (Lisa) Ferracuti, Dana (Judy) Ferracuti; and eight grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Domenic and Linda Ferracuti; two children, David and Debbie Ferracuti; and his sister, Rose Ferracuti. Pallbearers will be Adam Boaz, Jeremiah Stearns, Hal Carder, Chuck Lemenager, Attorney Michael Reagan, and Luke Ferracuti. Honorary Pallbearers will be Justice William Holdridge, Attorney Charles Marshall, Marvin Hecht, Peter J. Locascio, and Attorney Denne Knell. Memorials may be directed to either the Peter F. Ferracuti Scholarships for Building the Trades and the Advocacy Scholarship which are for $500 each per year and are offered at both Ottawa Township High School and LaSalle Peru High School to ensure students have access to the education and training necessary to join the trades community and to become an attorney; or to the Ottawa River Rescue Squad.