In the mid-2000s, Dr. Ferrara was diagnosed with early-stage lung cancer. Several years after the initial lung surgery, it was discovered that the cancer had spread.
Dr. Ferrara died on May 30, 2011, of brain cancer at the age of 68.
Upon approval of Governor McDonnell, the DFS Central Laboratory building was renamed the Paul B. Ferrara Building, in honor of the late department director who died in May 2011. A ceremony and reception was held at the Central Laboratory on November 18, 2011, to unveil the signage displaying the new building name.