Rocco A. Fiano

Rocco A. Fiano, 93, of Bolton, the husband of Helen Gawlack, died on Thursday December 14, 2017 surrounded by his family at Manchester Manor. He was born in Bolton, the son of Antonio and Elizabeth (Batignani) Chieffo-Fiano. He lived in Bolton most of his life. Rocco graduated from Manchester High School in 1942. While working the family farm on Birch Mountain in Bolton, he attended night school and graduated from Hillyer College in Hartford. During World War II, Rocco was inducted into the Army but was released to produce food from the farm. Extremely talented in machine repair he helped many local farmers maintain their equipment. At age 17 Rocco received noted recognition in ARC welding by converting a farm tractor into a bulldozer. During the war he assumed domestic security duties i.e. plane spotting and fire dept., etc. After the war, learned to fly and owned a light plane. In 1952 after a forced landing in the brush, he got into the used plane parts business. May 2, 1954, he married the love of his life, Helen. From 1957 to 1986 Rocco managed the family's restaurant, Fiano's Restaurant, in Bolton. From then on, he worked with his brothers in building, housing, and subdivision. He loved salt water fishing, especially with his brother Rick. He also enjoyed rehabbing old motor cycles and cars; he could fix anything. He enjoyed having his grand-nephews and grand-nieces at his cottage in Rhode Island. Rocco was an altar boy in Bolton's first church in Bernard McKirk's garage and also served when St. Maurice Church was first built. Rocco is survived by his loving wife Helen; his brothers and their wives; Lawrence and Rose Fiano, Francis and Wanda Fiano, Valentino and Paula Fiano, Anthony and Marilyn Fiano, and Paul Fiano; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great grand nieces and great grand nephews. Rocco was also predeceased by his brother Enrico and sister-in-laws Joan Fiano and Valerie Fiano. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated tomorrow, Thursday, December 28th, at 10:00 am at St. Maurice Church, 32 Hebron Rd. Bolton, with burial to follow at St. James Cemetery, 368 Broad St. Manchester. Visiting hours for friends and family will be held today, Wednesday, December 27th, at the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St. Manchester, from 4:00-7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation in Rocco's name to Antonio and Elizabeth Fiano Family Memorial Scholarship Fund, attn Bolton Scholarship Fund, 72 Brandy St. Bolton, CT 06043. For online condolences, please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com