Obituary for Thomas J. Fiorelli Jr.
Thomas J. Fiorelli Jr., of Jessup, died Friday, Nov. 15, at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart surrounded by his loving family. His wife of 45 years is the former Kathleen Neary.
Born in Peckville, he was the son of the late Thomas J. Sr. and Dora Baldinucci Fiorelli. A graduate of St. Patrick’s High School in Olyphant, class of 1968, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the Pennsylvania State University, Class of 1972.
Tom was a practicing Certified Public Accountant and founded Fiorelli and Associates, a well-respected accounting firm. He incorporated his sons into the business, broadening the firm’s services. Tom was a career man, family man, an active member of the Jessup community and a member of Saint Patrick’s Church at Holy Cross Parish. As an avid sportsman, he loved his annual fishing trips to Canada and served as treasurer of the Deer Run Recreational Club. He was also a member of the Cougar Kick-off Club, the Carbino Club and was the president of the Carbino Club Little League for over 25 years.
Tom had a cultural interest in all things Italian (with the good sense to marry an Irish woman). He became a master of homemade Italian meats and wine and passed these traditions onto his sons and grandsons. Each year, he looked forward to his trips to La Festa dei Ceri in Gubbio and was key in keeping the ties between the sister cities strong. Tom took pride in being a “Ceraiolo” and “Santubaldaro.” He was instrumental in reviving the St. Ubaldo Festival in Jessup, the purchase and renovation of the St. Ubaldo Society Cultural Center, and was part of the group who started the “Fourth Friday Dinners” to benefit local charities. Tom served as “Primo Capitano” for the 100th year celebration of La Festa in Jessup in 2009. He also forged special friendships throughout Italy, particularly during his numerous, treasured visits to Monterosso al Mare.
Tom had a curious mind and an adventurous spirit. He extensively researched his family’s ancestry and made welcomed connections near and far. Tom was an explorer at heart and traveled to many historical sites and destinations in his never-ending quest to learn. He showed a profound respect for the men and women of the previous generations who struggled to pave the way forward. Tom’s passion for history was equally matched by his passion for the Penn State Nittany Lions and New York Yankees; lifelong fans of both teams. Always a gentleman, he welcomed all into his home and loved the give and take of a spirited conversation. Tom had a unique perspective on life and saw humor in everything. He was well known for his quick, dry wit and infectious laugh.
Tom is survived by his sons, Thomas III and wife, Heidi, Jessup; Michael, Jessup; and Jon and wife, Kindra, Dickson City; grandsons, Thomas IV and Luke; sisters, Jean Apice, Ruth Lefchak; Margaret Bolick and husband, Leon; and Doreen Fiorelli; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and his english setter, Ginger.
He was preceded in death by sister, Elaine Wolff.
The funeral will be conducted Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. from the Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, 1003 Church St., Jessup, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church, 200 Delaware Ave., Olyphant. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Jessup.
Friends and family may pay their respects Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702; Bread Basket of NEPA, 550 Madison Ave., Scranton, PA 18510; or to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, South Abington Twp., PA 18411.
The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Susan Biancarelli, Dr. Lisa Thomas and the staff at Hospice of the Sacred Heart. Their kindness, compassion and care for Tom will never be forgotten.
Born in Peckville, he was the son of the late Thomas J. Sr. and Dora Baldinucci Fiorelli. A graduate of St. Patrick’s High School in Olyphant, class of 1968, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the Pennsylvania State University, Class of 1972.
Tom was a practicing Certified Public Accountant and founded Fiorelli and Associates, a well-respected accounting firm. He incorporated his sons into the business, broadening the firm’s services. Tom was a career man, family man, an active member of the Jessup community and a member of Saint Patrick’s Church at Holy Cross Parish. As an avid sportsman, he loved his annual fishing trips to Canada and served as treasurer of the Deer Run Recreational Club. He was also a member of the Cougar Kick-off Club, the Carbino Club and was the president of the Carbino Club Little League for over 25 years.
Tom had a cultural interest in all things Italian (with the good sense to marry an Irish woman). He became a master of homemade Italian meats and wine and passed these traditions onto his sons and grandsons. Each year, he looked forward to his trips to La Festa dei Ceri in Gubbio and was key in keeping the ties between the sister cities strong. Tom took pride in being a “Ceraiolo” and “Santubaldaro.” He was instrumental in reviving the St. Ubaldo Festival in Jessup, the purchase and renovation of the St. Ubaldo Society Cultural Center, and was part of the group who started the “Fourth Friday Dinners” to benefit local charities. Tom served as “Primo Capitano” for the 100th year celebration of La Festa in Jessup in 2009. He also forged special friendships throughout Italy, particularly during his numerous, treasured visits to Monterosso al Mare.
Tom had a curious mind and an adventurous spirit. He extensively researched his family’s ancestry and made welcomed connections near and far. Tom was an explorer at heart and traveled to many historical sites and destinations in his never-ending quest to learn. He showed a profound respect for the men and women of the previous generations who struggled to pave the way forward. Tom’s passion for history was equally matched by his passion for the Penn State Nittany Lions and New York Yankees; lifelong fans of both teams. Always a gentleman, he welcomed all into his home and loved the give and take of a spirited conversation. Tom had a unique perspective on life and saw humor in everything. He was well known for his quick, dry wit and infectious laugh.
Tom is survived by his sons, Thomas III and wife, Heidi, Jessup; Michael, Jessup; and Jon and wife, Kindra, Dickson City; grandsons, Thomas IV and Luke; sisters, Jean Apice, Ruth Lefchak; Margaret Bolick and husband, Leon; and Doreen Fiorelli; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and his english setter, Ginger.
He was preceded in death by sister, Elaine Wolff.
The funeral will be conducted Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. from the Arthur A. Albini Funeral Home, 1003 Church St., Jessup, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church, 200 Delaware Ave., Olyphant. Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Jessup.
Friends and family may pay their respects Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 600 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702; Bread Basket of NEPA, 550 Madison Ave., Scranton, PA 18510; or to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, South Abington Twp., PA 18411.
The family is deeply grateful to Dr. Susan Biancarelli, Dr. Lisa Thomas and the staff at Hospice of the Sacred Heart. Their kindness, compassion and care for Tom will never be forgotten.