Eugene J. Fiorella

Eugene J. Fiorella, 91, of Sleepy Hollow died February 9, 2017. Born and raised in Sleepy Hollow aka North Tarrrytown, the youngest son of Joseph and Elizabeth Fiorella, Eugene attended the public schools of the Tarrytowns.  Upon graduation from North Tarrytown High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy to serve in World War II.  He served as a Torpedoman aboard the Destroyer USS Helm in the Pacific Theater from 1943 to the war’s end in 1945.  During his tour of duty, among other notable operations, he took part in the rescue and recovery mission of the ill-fated USS Indianapolis from August 3 to 6, 1945, the Helm being one of the first two ships to sail into the recovery site.

In 1948 he married the former Nancy J. Scogna at Immaculate Conception Church, North Tarrytown.  He worked at the P.R. Mallory plant on Elm Street in North Tarrytown until reenlisting in the Navy from 1950 to 1952.        

After his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Fiorella was employed by the Scarsdale Fire Department where he worked until his retirement in 1988.  During his time with SFD, he received several commendations for outstanding service and bravery in the line of duty. 

Mr. Fiorella was an active member of his community.  He was a volunteer firefighter for the Village of Sleepy Hollow with Union Hose Company for over 60 years and a member of the local VFW.  In his retirement years, Eugene worked as a weekend volunteer on the USS Joseph P. Kennedy in Fall River, MA and was a volunteer tour guide at the USS Intrepid Museum in Manhattan.  Eugene was an avid fisherman and outdoor sportsman who loved nature and instilled in his children the love of the sea.  He was an excellent handyman and enjoyed working in his basement workshop.  He was an animal lover and loved watching Laurel and Hardy, Benny Hill and Gunsmoke.  Euguene had a great love for family and an appreciation for friends.  Throughout his life, he was warm and kind and very funny.  Eugene will be greatly missed by all those who love him.  

He is predeceased by his wife Nancy who died in February 2006.  He is survived by his children Gina Mancinelli (Dennis) of Southport, NC; Arlene Stolarski (John) of Port Chester, NY; Diane Fiorella of Sleepy Hollow, NY; Barbara Kipniss (Ivan) of Albany, NY and Serena Fiorella of Sleepy Hollow, NY.  He also leaves nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his granddaughter Erin Stolarski and his siblings Virginia, Joseph, Hugh, Francis, Charles and Anthony.

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