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. While in high school, he enjoyed and excelled at playing football and baseball. While growing up, he greatly treasured working on his uncle Jake’s dairy farm, near Frankfort, with his lifelong friend, Joe Plano.

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.

While Athletic Director for Adirondack School District, Mr. Fiorenza spearheaded the development of the athletic and playing fields at Adirondack High School, most notably his 1978 chairmanship and co-engineer with Mr. Arthur Gallo, in the construction of the football field at the high school, a facility that served the Adirondack School community very well, until upgraded to a modern day artificial turf football field, in 2019.

Over the years, Mr. Fiorenza always placed his entire heart and soul into all of his teaching and Athletic Director positions; both he and his late wife, Marie always glowed with bright enthusiasm and interest at all happenings at Adirondack Central School District. Mr. Fiorenza possessed a strong work ethic, which always was evident for everyday of his career, and he was never too busy while maneuvering the many “home runs, basket shots, touchdowns or field goals,” at Adirondack, to spend time with the aspect of his work that meant the very most to him ….his students and all of their athletic endeavors. Together, for their entire 66 years of marriage, Phil and Marie, were a formidable couple of love, care and concern for their students and neighbors and strangers alike and they both left an indelible mark of goodness and happy memories on our Adirondack School District and communities of Ava, West Leyden and Boonville.

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. For many years he provided the Easter Sunrise Breakfast for the West Leyden Reformed Church and also worked on the church annual Lords Acre Auction. In addition, Mr. Fiorenza was an active member of the Adirondack Citizens Advisory League, (A.C.A.L.) and he chaired many turkey dinners for fund raisers for the Adirondack Booster Club, which he was a member of.

During the latter 1970’s and early 80’s Mr. Fiorenza served on the Town of Ava Board.

In 2022, in recognition of Mr. Fiorenza’s many contributions to Adirondack School District Athletics, he was inducted into the first Class of the then established Adirondack Central School, Sports Hall of Fame, a happening that Mr. Fiorenza was proud of and greatly enjoyed.

In his “spare time,” he was an avid gardener, who greatly enjoyed raising vegetables and flowers and also with Marie, canning, pickling and freezing the fruits of their efforts. He was also a great fan of the New York Giants Football Team, a Yankee Baseball fan and enjoyed watching Syracuse Football and Basketball games.

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. Grandchildren: John and Stephanie Markham, Jared Markham, Elizabeth DiGiovine, Kalie and Paul Oliva, Mickey, Ericka, Sienna,Johanna Fiorenza, Lanse and Katherine Allen, and Riley Edwards, and great grandchild, Asher Markham.

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.