Obituary of Eldorado Theodore Fiorillo

Eldorado Theodore ?Ted? ?Tarzan? Fiorillo, 94, of Racecourse St., Amsterdam, said his final goodbyes to his family with them at his side early Tuesday morning at St. Mary?s Hospital in Amsterdam. Born in New Haven, CT on April 7, 1911 a son of Raffaele A. and Anna Gaudio Fiorillo. He came to Amsterdam as a young boy in 1916. He attended Amsterdam schools. Mr. Fiorillo served in the U.S. Army?s 397th Infantry Division in South Carolina during World War II. He was employed for G.E. in Schenectady and the Army Depot in Schenectady where he met his wife Benedetta. He also worked as a glove cutter in Gloversville and last at the Valley View Motel in Amsterdam as a clerk, retiring in 1973. Mr. Fiorillo was an avid baseball player in his youth. He played with several local teams and was known as a great shortstop and pitcher with a strong arm. He once pitched a double header, one game right-handed, and the other game left-handed. He was called Tarzan because of his muscular physique and his good swimming ability. He was a great horseshoe player and enjoyed the game in the backyard of his home. He also enjoyed playing cards with his sons, nephews and brothers. In his later years he took pride in his garden. But the one thing he enjoyed the most was spending time with his family. His hugs and kisses for his young grandchildren and great-grandchildren were non-stop. The home was constantly filled with laughter and small children surrounding him as he sat in his chair at the kitchen table. Christmas Eve was the highlight of the year, when the whole family gathered for a night of joy, laughter and thanks for this big Italian family. He gave his all to his family and they are very thankful for the wonderful 94 years they had with him. Mr. Fiorillo was a communicant of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Amsterdam. He was a former Scout Master of St. Michael?s Boy Scouts and coached Babe Ruth League Baseball and Rookie League. He married Benedetta Vassi Fiorillo on June 23, 1944. In addition to his wife survivor?s include six beloved sons: Theodore Eldorado Fiorillo and his fiancée Susan, Ralph Fiorillo and his wife Bernadette, Gary Fiorillo and his wife Debbie, Ronald Fiorillo and his wife Valerie, Mark Fiorillo, Paul Fiorillo and his fiancé Sue all of Amsterdam; four beloved daughters: Darlene Febbie, Anita and her husband David Jobin, Tina and her husband Thomas Whelly, & Sharon Fiorillo all of Amsterdam; one beloved brother, Emil Fiorillo of Amsterdam; one beloved sister, Dora Meilun of Amsterdam; seventeen cherished grandchildren: Nicola Gabriele, Ralph Fiorillo Jr., Andrea Fiorillo, Michael Febbie Jr., Dean Febbie, Torey Febbie, Gary Fiorillo Jr., Tammy Fiorillo, Ronald Fiorillo Jr., Gina Benedetta Fiorillo, Dalila Lorensen, Marissa Jobin and Brittany Jobin, Tanya Whelly, April Whelly, Adrienne Whelly and Desiree Fiorillo, eleven great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Mr. Fiorillo was pre-deceased by his loving granddaughter Antoinette Fiorillo on June 13, 2001 and his brothers and sisters: Tillie Pagano, Beatrice Campo, Clara LaPorta, Paul Fiorillo and Virginia Fiorillo. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday at 11:30AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church in Amsterdam with the Rev. Lawrence J. Decker as celebrant. Interment is in St. Michael?s Cemetery, Amsterdam. The family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday from 5-8 PM at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam. Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church, 39 Saint John Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010.