Pillar of Ossining & Croton Dies at 82

People from our area and beyond are saying a final farewell to beloved Croton-on-Hudson resident Anthony L. Fiorito. Fiorito, who was a pillar of both the Ossining and Croton-on-Hudson communities, died on Wednesday after a courageous fight with cancer. 

Fiorito's visitation at Edward F. Carter Funeral Home will be held today from 4-8 p.m. and tomorrow during the same time. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am on Wednesday at St. Augustine's Church in Ossining. 

Edward F. Carter Funeral has provided this description of Anthony Fiorito's life:

Anthony L. Fiorito was born at home on Riverside Avenue in Croton-on-Hudson on April 26, 1930 to Martin (Patsy) and Mary (Zerrello) Fiorito. At age 16 he purchased his first truck and started his business, Anthony L. Fiorito, Inc., taking a "Sick Day" from school if someone didn't show up to drive the truck, until he graduated from Croton Harmon High School in 1948. During WWII, and afterwards, he belonged to the Croton Volunteer Fire Department.

He married Joan Dean on September 16, 1950, following a Courtship from when they met in September 1944. They, together, ran Anthony L. Fiorito, Inc. in Ossining for 49 years before Tony retired in 1995. Their son, Bruce, still runs the Company. Both sons worked with their father and both are in the Trade.

Tony helped the Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corp when they originally started and continued through the years when they needed his help. He was asked to be on their Board of Directors and eventually, when the current building was built, the Training Room was named in his Honor.

He was also on the St. Augustine Church Cemetery and Dale Cemetery Boards, along with the Advisory Board of Bethel Home when they expanded to Croton.

Tony was invited to be on the Westchester County Savings and Loan Association Board years ago and was instrumental in their merging with Peoples Westchester Savings Bank. After Specializing in helping with the opening of many new Branches, he retired after 28 years, when Peoples Westchester Savings Bank merged with First Fidelity Bank and the First Union Bank.

Tony was also honored by the Board of County Legislators by proclaiming Saturday, December 10, 1994 ANTHONY L. FIORITO DAY in Westchester County and the Proclamation was signed by all the Legislators, for all his Contributions to his Community.

He was also on the Ossining Community Christmas Crib Committee for many, many years and stored and helped erect the Christmas Crib Figures and Stable each year. And, till this day, his son, Bruce, is continuing with the storage and erection of the Christmas Crib.

He was a member of the Knights of Columbus #311 and a Social Member of Independent Hose Company #6 in Ossining. Tony and Joan were Social Members of the Golf Club at Lost Lake in Hobe Sound, where years ago, Tony made a Hole in One! He also belonged to the Martin County Golf Course and its 9-Hole League. 

Tony is survived by his wife of 62 years, his daughter, Jean Fiorito of Windsor Locks, CT, Son, Martin and his wife, Janine of Greer, SC, son, Bruce and his wife, Lorraine of Cortlandt Manor, NY and his daughter Michelle Silano and her husband, Ralph, of Delhi, NY. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Joyce Ann Camp and her husband, Brad and their twins Isabella & Thomas of Indian Trail, NC, Michael Fiorito and his wife, Elissa and their 3 children; Rachel, Adam & Lea of Morganville, NJ, Jeffrey Fiorito of Amarillo, TX , Robert Sampogna of Congers, NY and Anthony Sampogna of Verplanck, NY. In addition, he is survived by 5 step grandchildren; Jeffrey Rizzo of White Plains, NY, Jason Rizzo and his wife Christine of Shrub Oak, NY, Maureen Babcock and her husband, Mark of Walton, NY, Kristin Silano of Oneonta, NY and Vincent Silano and his wife Macey of Camp Lajuene, NC. Also 6 step great-grandchildren; Kaitlynn and Zachery Finch, Garrett, Brieanne and Alexander Babcock and Averie Silano. He is also survived by his brother Joseph and his wife Nancy of AZ and a sister, Frances Schettino of FL and many nieces and nephews.

Tony was predeceased by his parents, his sister Christine Tonich and grandson Bruce A. Fiorito, Jr. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to: Ossining High School for the Bruce A. Fiorito, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Anthony L. Fiorito Inc., 100 Croton River Rd., Ossining, NY 10562 (please make checks payable to Ossining High School), St. Augustine School, Rt. 9, Ossining, NY 10562, Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 8 Clinton Ave., Ossining, NY 10562 or Hospice of Stuart, 1201 SE Indian St., Stuart, FL 34997.

There will be a Memorial Mass for Tony at St. Christopher's Church in Hobe Sound, where he was living at the time of his death, at a later date.