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Local Business Spotlight ~ Fioritto Funeral Home

Original Release: 12/4/2023

Class of '76 graduate, Mario Fioritto, Jr., is proud to share the story of Fioritto Funeral Home located in Lyndhurst. During the depression, in a Cleveland neighborhood known as Blue Rock Springs (University Circle), Marianna Fioritto, a young widow and the mother of Mario Sr., owned a little general store. Watching and helping his mother, at the age of 13, Mario, Sr. learned compassion for helping families in need who couldn't pay for simple items like milk or eggs. He would carry this compassion through his 56 years in the funeral business.

In World War II Mario served as a US Army medic. During this time, he finalized his plans to become a funeral director and embalmer. Upon returning home, he married the love of his life, Corinne Petrarca, and enrolled at Western Reserve University Cleveland College of Mortuary Science. He then served his apprenticeship and started Fioritto Funeral Service in 1950, with Corinne working by his side. In 1967 they relocated to the exist-ing building on Mayfield Road.

Mario, Sr., and Corinne's devotion inspired their children to join the business. They all helped while growing up, and all three children became licensed funeral directors. Each worked side by side with their parents learning their legacy. Shortly before his death in 2006, Mario was elated to guide the family business into the third generation as his grandson obtained his license.

According to Mario, Jr. ('76) “We are proud that we are strictly a family owned and operated business. This allows us to customize and personalize our service to each family we serve. While our parents are no longer with us, we are proud that they left us, their children and grandchildren, the legacy of love, faith, family, and service we continue to share with the families we touch.”

Fioritto Funeral Home serves all faiths and ethnic groups. In addition to customary services, Mario, Jr. encourages the preplanning of funerals. He also encourages you “Have the Talk of a Lifetime” designed to help families talk about what matters most in their lives and how they made a difference. These discussions can help families make important decisions about how they wish to remember and honor the lives of their loved one. Learning about memorable events and people, places and favorite activities, values, and lessons they have learned can help bring us closer to those we care about most. The talk helps us reaffirm to our loved ones how much they have impacted our life.

A Little More about Mario, Jr.

Mario Jr. owns and operates the funeral home with his sister, DonnaMarie Fioritto Tamburro, nephew William Schneider and niece Cristine Yankovic. After graduating from Brush, Mario, Jr. attended John Carroll University, graduating in 1980, becoming a second-generation Funeral Director, licensed in 1981. Still living in Lyndhurst he enjoys music, cooking, playing bocce, watching baseball and spending time with family. He learned during his years at Brush the importance of education, friendship and working together with others. He fondly remembers his participation in Choral and Drama Clubs and volunteering to sell popcorn in the front hall, continuing to this day to give it away during the Lyndhurst Home Days Parade when his family sponsors a Family Fun Day and cookout on the front lawn of the funeral home. He treasures lifelong friendships he made at Brush, and enjoys keeping up with classmates on Facebook.