Arthur C. Fiorelli

Rindge, New Hampshire
Arthur C. Fiorelli of Rindge, NH died on January 5, 2011, peacefully at home in the presence of his family, who supported him as he struggled with lung cancer over the past 9 months.

Mr. Fiorelli was born on October 12, 1936 in Jessup, PA. His father, John Fiorelli, emigrated to the United States in 1912 from Umbria, Italy. He served in the US Army in World War I in the Rainbow Division in France, returning after the war to northeastern Pennsylvania where he worked as a coal miner for 42 years. Arthurs mother, Catherine Fiorelli, emigrated in 1903, also from Umbria, Italy. Catherine was known throughout northeastern Pennsylvania for her classical Italianate embroidery style. Mr. Fiorelli was preceded in death by two sisters and one brother. All four children were gifted musicians who played at least one musical instrument.

Mr. Fiorelli graduated from Blakely High School in Peckville, PA in 1954. He received degrees in Chemical Engineering from MIT and Princeton University. At MIT, Mr. Fiorelli was elected to Tau Beta Pi, The Honorary Engineering Society, and Phi Lambda Upsilon, The Honorary Chemical Society. He was elected by his classmates to Osiris, an honorary organization comprised of 12 seniors whose purpose it was to address student issues with faculty and administration and to resolve them in the best interests of MIT.

Starting as a Manufacturing Technology Engineer, Mr. Fiorelli held several management positions at the Monsanto Company in Springfield, MA for 33 years, retiring as Director of Research Development for the Resins Group of Monsanto. He believed that his greatest contribution at Monsanto was to help others to develop their maximum capability and that the work to be done would take care of itself.

Mr. Fiorelli was active in many municipal and other civic volunteer efforts. In Rindge, NH, he served on the Board of Selectman, Planning Board, Budget Advisory Committee; and chaired the fund drive for the Converse Meadows Project. He also served on the Leadership Committee for the Hampshire Country School Wapack Fund Drive, and the Board of Trustees for the Cathedral of the Pines. Prior to moving to Rindge, NH, he served as the Chair of a K-12 Regional School Committee, and several ad hoc facility committees and civic organizations.

Mr. Fiorelli will be remembered for his love of music, for his booming laugh that could fill a room, for his polenta parties, for his great bear hugs, for his mastery of any topic that piqued his interest, for his debating skills, and for his bright mind and passionate focus.

Mr. Fiorelli is survived by his fiance, Candice Starrett, of Rindge, NH; his children, Christopher D. Fiorelli of Northampton, MA; Robin M. Fiorelli and her husband, Richard Biernacki, of San Diego, CA; and Lisa D. Fiorelli and her partner, Joy Anagnostis, of Sebastopol, CA; his granddaughter, Julia Fiorelli Biernacki, of San Diego, CA; his niece, Claudia Newton and her husband, Robert Newton, of St. Louis, MO; his niece, Julie Fiorelli and her husband, Jon Bougie, of Chicago, IL; his nephew, John Fiorelli of New York City, NY; several other nieces and nephews; and the loving and supportive family of Candice Starrett.

In lieu of flowers or other donations, please send your support to Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services, PO Box 564, 312 Marlboro Street, Keene, NH 03431.

There will be nocalling hours.

There will be a Memorial Service, Musicale, and Reception honoring Mr. Fiorellis life at 3:00 pm on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at the Rindge First Congregational Church and Meeting House.