Felice Fiore

1938 - 2024

Felice Fiore
April 11, 1938 - Nov 18, 2024
Felice Fiore " Philp" left us unexpectedly on Monday, November 18, 2024. He was the beloved husband of Mattea (Perri) Fiore. Felice was the son of the late Peppino and Archangela (Talarico) Fiore. He was born in Decollatura, Italy on April 11,1938.
He immigrated to the United States with his mother, Aunt and Siblings in 1954.
Felice worked for Barden Corp for 25 years which he retired from in 1985. Retirement was not for him, so he went on to work at Western Connecticut University for a few more years and also volunteered as a driver for the Danbury Senior Center.
Felice was a lifetime member of the Amerigo Vespucci Lodge, Order Son's of Italy holding many different board positions. He was incredibly proud of his Italian Heritage and shared it with all that would listen. He never missed the annual festival or pasta nights where he was always ready to put on an apron and volunteer and help where needed.
Felice began working at an early age to help support his Family and to save money to return to Italy to marry his childhood sweetheart, Mattea – a promise he made and kept before leaving.
Felice and Mattea embarked on their journey to the United States where they achieved their American dream of owning their own home and raising their family.
In addition to his loving wife, dance partner and best friend of 64 years, Mattea, he is survived by his devoted children, Olga Butera, Anna Lucchesi (Rich Thompson) and Phil Fiore, Jr. (Jill).
Family was the center of the universe for Felice, as he coveted his time during the Holidays spending time with Family and sharing all life's special moments. Among his happiest moments was becoming Nonno to his grandchildren, Adriana Ramos (Joey), Bianca Badaracco (Luke), Briana Smith (Ryan), Alexa Lucchesi (Scott Sasso), Michael and Dylan Fiore. He was also blessed with becoming a Bisnonno (Great Grand-Father) to Logan and Liam Badaracco and Ryder and Hunter Smith.
He leaves behind his sisters Olga Butera and Teresa Potenziani.
Those that knew Felice knew that he had an endless love for his Soccer, and his home country team – Juventus.
His labor of love and passion was to share his passion for soccer with the children of Danbury and to that end in 1977 he Founded the Danbury P.A.L. League and its inaugural team the Danbury Cosmos. With the support of many over the years, Danbury Youth Soccer has become a great feeder program for the High Schools of the area, and he proudly witnessed his young athletes win league and state titles and go on to wonderful collegiate soccer careers. Besides his children, this Danbury Youth Soccer Program was one of his greatest accomplishments. That program today has a membership of 2000+ children and there are now several beautiful soccer fields throughout Danbury due to the launch of this incredible youth program. Once he decided to stop his coaching career, he continued being on the field by refereeing High School and Junior High School games. His love and legacy of soccer continues on with the launch of the Phil Fiore, Sr. DYSC Scholarship fund, which is intended to help and support those young athletes.
Felice was predeceased by his Grandson Nicolas Joseph Fiore, his son-in-law Frank Butera, his siblings Natale Fiore, MaryJo Iapaluccio, Connie Scalzo and brothers-in-law Carmine Iapaluccio, Frank Potenziani, Frank Scalzo and Antonio Butera.
Family and Friends are welcome to meet at St. Gregory the Great Church on Thursday, November 21st at 11:00am for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Peter Cemetery Mausoleum.
There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers the family asked that donations be made to his named scholarship – Phil Fiore, Sr. DYSC Scholarship Fund https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=860013
To leave a condolence visit www.CornellMemorial.com