Philip Fiorenza
Boonville- Philip Fiorenza, 95, of Fox Wood Lane, husband of the late Elinor Marie, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2024, after a short illness, at Wynn Hospital, Utica, where he was surrounded by the loving care of his children,
He was born in the Village of Frankfort, on October 4, 1929, a son of George and Tina Cacciatore Fiorenza. Philip grew up in Frankfort, where he graduated from Frankfort High School, with the Class of 1948.
After completing his high school education, Mr. Fiorenza went on to attend and graduated from Cortland State Teachers College, with the Class of 1952, earning a Bachelor Degree in Physical Education.
On July 8, 1952, Mr. Fiorenza enlisted to serve his country, in the U.S. Army, during the Korean Conflict, serving as a Surveyor in an Arterially Unit and honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant First Class, on June 21, 1954. He was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for surveying to determine where enemy fire was originating from, while at the same time under enemy fire. Mr. Fiorenza was also awarded the Korean Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, a National Defense Service Medal and a United Nations Service Medal.
After serving his country, he was hired by Constableville Central School, in 1954, as a Physical Education Teacher, where he also served as coach of the Soccer, Basketball and Baseball Teams.
On November 28, 1957, Philip was united in marriage with the love of his life, Elinor Marie Dietz, at St. Joseph’s Church, Boonville. Afterwards the couple lived in West Leyden, later moving to the hamlet of Ava, where they resided for many years, until relocating to their present home in Boonville. Marie, a well known Home Economics teacher in West Leyden Central School and later at Adirondack Central School, Boonville, passed away on May 7, 2023.
Following his time at Constableville, Mr. Fiorenza accepted a position of Physical Education Teacher at West Leyden Central School, where he coached the boys Soccer and Basketball Teams. While at West Leyden, during the summers, Mr. Fiorenza returned to Cortland State Teachers College, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Director of Physical Education and went on to serve as Athletic Director and School Vice Principal, under Mr. David Fish, Principal of West Leyden Central School.
In the later 1960’s West Leyden and Forestport school districts merged with Boonville Central School, to form the present day Adirondack Central School District. When the high school opened for the district, in 1970, Mr. Fiorenza transferred from West Leyden to the Adirondack High School, in Boonville and accepted the position of Athletic Director for the district and also high school physical education teacher. He continued in that capacity, until his retirement in 1986.
Mr. Fiorenza was also a notable cook, who will be fondly remembered for the many spaghetti dinners which he headed for the West Leyden Fire Company, where, for many years, he also served as a fireman and Ambulance EMT, responding to many ambulance calls.
During the latter 1970’s and early 80’s Mr. Fiorenza served on the Town of Ava Board.
He is survived by children Chris and John Markham, Carma and Steve Flannery, Patrick and Katrina Fiorenza, Joseph Fiorenza and Stacey Edwards, David Fiorenza and Kim Allen. Also surviving are several grandchildren and a great grandchild.
Phil’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to his much loved and devoted caretaker, Debbie Jackson and the Six Floor East wing of Wynn Hospital.
Funeral Services are Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, where Rev. Lawrence Marullo, a retired priest from St. Mary’s Church, West Leyden, will preside. Calling hours are also Saturday, November 2, from 10:00 A.M. until the funeral, at the funeral home. Interment will be in Ava Cemetery, with Military honors provided, from Charles J. Love Post 406, American Legion, Harland J. Hennessey Post V.F.W. and The Tun Tavern Marine Corps League, all of Boonville. Memorial contributions may be made to The Adirondack Booster Club, C/O P.O. Box 196, Boonville, NY 13309.
Contributions of food may be delivered to the Charles J. Love Post American Legion on East Schuyler St. Boonville, on Saturday, from 12 Noon on.
For an on-line message of sympathy, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com