Obituary of Ferdinand F. Fiore

Ferdinand Slim F. Fiore, 93, of Rome, former owner of The Franklin Press and the Pinky-White Launderette, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2008, at Rome Memorial Hospital, with his loving family by his side.Slim was born on May 29, 1915, in Rome, NY, the son of the late Nazzareno and Angelina Appolonia Fiore. On June 12, 1937, he married Mary Rose Spaziani in St. John the Baptist Church, with the Rev. OConnor officiating. This was a special double wedding ceremony, because in addition to Slim and Mary, Slims sister Yolanda, and Marys brother James, were also joined together in holy matrimony.Slim was a good provider right from the onset as evidenced by the fact that Slim and Mary were able to go on a honeymoon and even buy some furniture with $400 that Slim won during Bank Night at the Capitol Theater. Slim and Mary have shared a blessed union of 71 years together.Slim was educated in Rome schools and in his own words graduated from the school of hard knocks. He was always ready and eager for work at an early age. When he was 11, he began selling newspapers at the American Corner, and with some of his profits bought 2 cent bags of broken cookies at OBriens Bakery to curb his appetite. At 14, to help his family during the Depression, Slim got a job with the IL Roma, a local Italian newspaper at the time. He also washed dishes at the Starlight and caddied Sundays at Teugega for extra money.It was at IL Roma where Slims passion for printing was nurtured. Eventually, he got a job at The Franklin Press, where the owner Frank Streifert nicknamed him Slim, because his name Ferdinand was too long and he was physically tall and thin. In 1945, Slim purchased The Franklin Press, which was then located on South James Street. Subsequently, in 1950, he bought a building on Erie Blvd. W., which he converted into the new Franklin Press. Slim semi-retired in 1997 after 52 years in the printing business and was the oldest active printer in Oneida County at the time. Additionally, in 1960, Slim opened the first Laundromat in Rome, the Pinky-White Laundromat. He was the owner/operator and active in its operation for over 40 years.During his lifetime, Slim was active in many local clubs and organizations, including the: Acme Club, Beaverbrook Country Club, Optimist Club (charter, lifetime member & Soap Box Derby Coordinator), Boy Scout Troop 11, Sierra Club Bowling League, Moose Club, Roman Gladiators Club, Rome Country Club, Toccolana Club, Elks Club (lifetime member), Ava Dorfman Senior Citizen Center & Treasured Friends and the Printers Craftmans Guild.Slim certainly had a wonderful and fulfilling life filled with exciting and interesting times. When he was 16, he saved a girls life and his courageous act was recognized by the Boy Scouts of America Book of Gold, the highest honor that could be bestowed on a scout.Slim even made it on national TV when he was visiting his sisters family in Calif. He ended up being selected as a contestant on Monty Halls game show, Lets Make a Deal! Although he lost money on the show by gambling it on the wheel, he did receive a $400 Botany 500 suit for just being a contestant.On a trip to visit his brothers family in Mexico, Slim happened to be carrying a Rome Sentinel picture of a snow tunnel that was dug in West Leyden after a terrible snow storm in 1978. He showed this picture to a friend in Mexico who just happened to work for a national Mexican magazine called Impacto. This magazine then published the picture and West Leyden became known throughout the world.Slim loved to fish, bowl, golf and travel; he especially enjoyed his many trips to Italy. He also loved to be surrounded by his family and had many wonderful friends. Slim had a keen wit and a generous heart, and will deeply be missed by all.Surviving besides his beloved wife, Mary, are two sons and daughters- in-law, Naz and Alice Fiore & Richard and Marella Fiore, and one son- in-law, Henry Zucker, all of Rome; seven cherished grandchildren and spouses: David Fiore (Paola), Mary Fiore Perkins (Jeffrey), Kristin Fiore Hughes (David), Catherine Fiore Selke (Lee), Paul Zucker (Bobette), Adam Fiore (Stacey), Erica Fiore Renzi (Joseph); and fifteen great-grandchildren.He is also survived by three sisters: Yolanda Fiore Spaziani, Rome, Connie Fiore Malquist, Grants Pass, Oregon, Dolly Fiore Thayer, Sun Valley, Calif.; and a sister-in-law, Martha Persichini, Guadalajara, Mexico. Additionally, survivors include several special nieces & nephews: Kathleen & Boyce Slain, Jeanette Redd, John Spaziani, Lucille & Carl Maulucci, Angela & Gerald Everhard, Josephine & Bernard Bird, Shirley & Donald Harrington, Grant Thayer, Debra & Bruce Mitchell; plus cousins, Josephine Yazzi Fragapane, Louisa Yazzi Marcoccia and Frank Martinez, all of Rome.Slim was predeceased by his daughter, Angela Fiore Zucker; two brothers, George and Archie; two sisters, Mary Fuelner and Amelia Fiore Emma; four brothers-in-law, James Spaziani, Ted Malquist, Salvatore Emma, and Warren Thayer; six cousins, Rosie Yazzi Gallucci, Amelia Yazzi Furno, Mary Yazzi Paparella, Nellie Yazzi Martinez, James & Charlotte Yazzi and Dominick Yazzi.The family wishes to thank Drs. Ed and Brian Alessi for the conscientious care that was extended to Slim over the years. We would also like to express our gratitude to the staff of the Rome Nursing Home. In addition, a special thank you is extended to Dr. Kesava Potluri and the 2 North staff at Rome Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care during his recent stay.Friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial which will be celebrated at 11 a.m. this Wednesday, October 1, 2008 in St. Pauls Catholic Church, 1807 Bedford St., Rome. Interment will be in St. Johns Cemetery.Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 218 W. Court St., where friends may call on Tuesday, September 30, 2008, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Slims memory to the St. Pauls Church Memorial Fund.