Obituary: Michael S. Fiorentino, 92

Michael S. Fiorentino, 92, passed away on Thursday, January 2, peacefully at Kent County Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Dorothy (Christofor) Fiorentino and father of the late Stephen M. Fiorentino.

Born in Tarrytown, N.Y., he was the son of the late Phillip and Anna (Caravella) Fiorentino. He was the brother of the late Joseph Fiorentino, Lena Marrano, Vita (Betty) Jones and Anne Cavuoto.

Michael graduated Edison High School in Mt. Vernon, N.Y., at age 16 after skipping two grades. He attended Roosevelt Aviation School in Long Island and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before landing a job at Quonset Point Naval Air Station as an airplane mechanic. Michael was drafted into the Army Air Corps and was sent overseas to China-Burma-India as an airplane engine specialist. When the war ended he returned to Quonset as a supervisor for assembling naval aircraft. He retired after 22 years as the director of the Jet Engine Power Plant Division. When Quonset was closed, he went on to work at Electric Boat as department manager of Plant Engineering.

Michael was an avid golfer throughout most of his life, belonging to Exeter Golf Club for many years. He was a member of the Hemophilia Guild of R.I. and president of the China-Burma-India Mini State Basha organization. Mike enjoyed playing in the American Cribbage Congress for over 10 years.

He was a devoted parishioner at St. Bernard's Church for over 60 years. Michael and his wife enjoyed winters in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., for over 30 years.

Michael is survived by his loving daughter, Nancy Scelsa, and her husband Anthony Scelsa Jr., of North Kingstown. He was a devoted grandfather of Ryan Scelsa of North Kingstown, Christopher Scelsa and his wife Melanie of Massachusetts and Kevin Scelsa of Stamford, Conn. He was also the cherished great-grandfather of Preston Jordan Scelsa.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. at St. Bernard's Church, 275 Tower Hill Rd., N. Kingstown. Burial with military honors will be in the R.I. Veterans Cemetery, Exeter. Calling hours are Wednesday Jan. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Hill Funeral Home, 822 Main St., E. Greenwich. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the National Hemophilia Foundation.