OBITUARY

Joseph Fiorentino, 74, passed away peacefully at his Little Falls, N.Y. home on September 2, 2023 from natural causes.

Joe was born on December 28, 1948 in Herkimer, N.Y. to Dominick Fiorentino Sr. and Angelina Costentino, originally of Italy. He always loved to cook, and his first job was at Cherry’s Restaurant in Herkimer, N.Y. as a teenager. He was an athlete and played football at Herkimer high school. After Joe graduated in 1968, he went on to study Art and Design at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, N.Y., and then attended Buffalo State University thereafter to continue his major and obtain his Bachelor’s degree in the Arts.

In 1969, Joe met his future wife, Bernadette Brooks, of Frankfort, N.Y. They went on to marry in May of 1971.

After graduating from University, he got a job at the Cloister Restaurant in Buffalo, N.Y. as a young adult. Not long after, they had their first daughter, Lorie, in Buffalo, N.Y. He worked at a sports bar run by the Buffalo Bills where he first had the great idea to make chicken wings the next big thing before they got popular like they now are to this day. He worked his way up traveling throughout the country with his family to many different states along the southern and western coasts including Texas, Louisiana, Nevada, and in California, where they had their second daughter, Adriana. He then moved their growing family on to other states like Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York. He obtained jobs as a Chef at places like the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV., but it was in Providence, R.I. where he landed his Five Star Executive Chef position in the Armory District. His family resided in Seekonk, MA. where their eldest daughter, Lorie, graduated high school, ultimately to move back to their home state of New York.

Joe retired later in life in Little Falls, N.Y., and spent his time enjoying his favorite music by James Brown, Roy Orbison, and Motown to name a few. He enjoyed widdling and wood working, drawing and crafting Native American tools. He was quite the artist.

Joseph was predeceased by his parents, Dominick Sr. and Angelina Fiorentino; his older brothers, Frank (and wife Shirley) Fiorentino, Carlo (and wife Lena) Fiorentino, Dominick Fiorentino Jr.; and older sister, Rose Bernier.

 He is survived by his last living older sister, Clara Marie Fiorentino; daughters, Lorie Sportello, and Adriana (and husband Gregorio) Griffo; his grandchildren, Tyler R. Sportello, Michael V. Sportello, Giuliana Griffo; along with many nieces and nephews, all from around the Mohawk Valley.

A celebration of life will be held in his honor for immediate family.  In Lieu of flowers, the family has requested monetary donations be made to help the family with his expenses in person or on his personal website at: everloved.com/life-of/joseph-… or you can make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in his honor. Please contact his children, Lorie Sportello or Adriana Griffo for more information.

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