Our Daddy

Good afternoon, I’m Terry and I’m proud to say I’m the fourth child of Sal and Clorinda Fiorentino.

When I sat down to begin writing this I honestly thought how is it possible to capture the 93 years that our Dad lived.

For our Father, family was the root of his happiness. His love for his mother Catherine, brother Frank and sister Marion was the foundation that helped define what family meant to him. I can only imagine that the connection he had with them inspired him to want a family of his own.

That dream became a reality when he met my mother Linda. He walked into the mortgage and loan bank and once he laid eyes on my mother he asked the teller who is that? Oh that’s Linda, do you want to meet her? He didn’t hesitate and said YES!

From the first hello, to the first date later that night, they’ve been together ever since. They went on to have 8 children in 10 years, an exceptional feat that seemed effortless for the two of them. They truly loved the home they made together, and so did everyone who was lucky to know them. Our home was filled with laughter and fun and looking back at home videos it seemed the place where most holidays, birthdays and christening were celebrated.

I have 7 siblings and each of us have our own recollection of our father, no one more special than the next but each one exceptional and affectionate in their individual relationship with our dad.

When we think of my father so many thoughts flood our memories and our hearts. Each memory always bringing a warm smile to our faces.

From the time I can remember, Dad loved life, he loved his family and he loved being with us. Building us a home that we could get lost in and yet we would always wind up together in the kitchen around the table. We had dinner as a family every night, the 10 of us.

There was no subject we didn’t discuss and everyone’s opinion was heard. He welcomed my mother’s brothers to create homes for their families and he and my Mom developed a compound that was filled with love and happiness, most of the time. As we all know not everyday is perfect, but when we reflect back on those days most of them were pretty awesome.

As we grew older and slept in after being out late, Dad would blast Frank Sinatra EVERY SUNDAY morning on the intercom to wake us. Somehow while cleaning the patio the hose would reach our windows just in case Frank didn’t do the trick. We knew once that water raddled the screens it, was time to get up.

Being a parent I NOW understand why he did this, this was the weekend when he didn’t have to work and he simply missed us.
WE miss our kids as they grow and we miss our parents as they get older.

He was fearless. He had a dream of what his future was going to be and nothing was going to get in his way. He was so proud to be here that he gave up his Italian citizenship to fight for America. He was in the Army, Private First Class, company F, 194th Glider Infantry. He was honorably discharged and received a Purple Heart. He was a proud soldier of the United Sates of America. He loved the possibilities and took advantage of what this country had to offer him.

George Bernard Shaw said, this is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose, recognized by yourself as a muddy one, being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap, being a force of nature.

My dad was certainly a force of nature. And at 92, he decided to have a heart procedure that gave him a few months of strength and a wonderful thanksgiving filled with laughter, love and family, and facetime from Lili studying in Florence completed the perfect day.

He most definitely wore himself out to the end.
He decided when he was done and had enough.
Sal did it HIS WAY.

He was always filled with surprises. I think the one that really stands out for me his how he would show up at the birth of all his grandchildren. And I mean show up without warning. He was the third person to hold his grandchildren after they were born, no matter where you lived, and then he would go back home the same day.

Dad was an enormous character. He was funny, witty and smart – characteristics that are so desirable. He made our world interesting, and so full of life.

As each month, week and day passed Daddy slowly declined. His vulnerability and courage to relinquish his care to us was simply beautiful. Those moments with him were priceless and awe inspiring.

He constantly questioned and contemplated why this was happening to him.
Daddy was as fierce as always during our last family meeting when we decided it was time to start hospice. He handled his fate with honesty and humor. His graceful acceptance of the hospice team was again another lesson for all of us.

Little did we know he was having none of that, and passed away before they could even truly get started.
Always his way!

I’ll end with what I know Dad is asking himself right now.

Wait a minute, am I hearing what I think I’m hearing, but what are you saying, are you saying I’m dead?

What a wonderful life he had!

We salute you Daddy and love you forever.

Salvatore J, Fiorentino, on June 10, 2018, of Washington Twp. Age 93. Beloved husband of Linda (nee Bianculli). Devoted father of Ellen, Sal (Arlene), Terry Fiorentino-Christie (Paul), Freddy (Maureen), Cathrine Fiorentino-O’Brien (Terry), Maria Rutan (John), and Rosie. Loving grandfather of Clorinda, TJ, Marisa, Jenaca, Francesca, Freddy, Michael, Paul, Lilianna, Emily, Ben, Sam, Owen, Jackson, Henry (A.K.A. Vinny), and Roxy. Proud great-grandfather of 10. Survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Sal enjoyed home renovations and watching YouTube, including Celine Dion, Frank Sinatra, the Rat Pack and Dean Martin TV shows.

In Dad’s words:

“I said what I said and I ain’t saying it no more”

“Have a smile for everyone you meet”

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his viewing Friday 10:15 – 11:45 AM at SS. Peter & Paul RC Church, 362 Ganttown Road, Washington Twp. Mass of Christian Burial 12:00 PM. Interment St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Salvatore’s memory may be made to Veterans Helping Veterans, c/o Veteran’s Advisory Council, P. O. Box 337, Woodbury, NJ 08096. Condolences may be shared at www.egizifuneral.com

“A Life Well Lived
Is Worth Remembering”