Robert L. “Bob” Fiacco – 89 – 416 Cleveland Ave, North Hornell (formerly of 47 Mill St., Hornell), died Thursday afternoon (February 3, 2022) at St. James Hospital following a long illness.
Born in Italy on May 17, 1932, he was the son of Stephen & Mary (Ponfilli) Fiacco. His family moved to the United States when he was 4 ½ years old.
Bob grew up in Hornell and was a graduate of St. Ann’s School and Hornell High School (class of 1952). While in high school, he excelled in sports, especially football, track, basketball & baseball. In 1992 he was elected to the Hornell High School Hall of Fame.
He was a veteran of the US Army having served during the Korean Conflict. In 1955, he, along with his parents and brother, established Fiacco’s Bakery on River Street in Hornell. The family operated the business for about 25 years. He was also employed for many years as a machinist at the former SKF Industries in Hornell and later with Dresser Rand in Wellsville, retiring in 2001.
Bob was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and for many years was a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church where he served as an usher. In recent years he attended St. Ann’s Church. He was an artist who enjoyed spending countless hours painting and was also a carpenter who could build just about anything.
He was married on October 9, 1954 to the former Carol McKinley who died April 21, 2020. He was also preceded in death by his twin sisters who died in infancy; his brother, Ezio Fiacco; his sister, Edda Tuite, and sister-in-law, SR Barbara Cabrini.
Surviving are his son, Mark (Liz) Fiacco of Atlanta, NY; 2 daughters, Susan (Dan) Nickerson of Scio, NY and Tara Regan of North Hornell, NY; 1 brother, Steve Fiacco of Brockton, MA; his sisters-in-law, Mary Fiacco of Hornell; Mary Lucy McKinley of Hornell; Helen (Richard) Harkenrider of Rexville; his brother-in-law, Leo Tuite of Brockton, MA; 6 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces & nephews.
The family of Robert L. “Bob” Fiacco will receive friends on Friday from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Bob’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, PO Box 1000 – Dept. 300, Memphis, TN 38148. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.
In recognition of his service to his country as a member of the US Army, the American Flag at the Dagon Funeral Home will be flown at half-staff.
Mark, Susie, and Tara
So sorry for the loss of your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mike Smith
Mark, Tara and Sue,
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your beloved father. You are in my prayers. In times like now we have to reach out to Jesus and ask him to provide us with his strength and love. Robert truly was a man of strength and love and he put it in action with his daily trips to the nursing home to feed and comfort his wife over a long period of time. Action speaks louder than words.
Robert has always been one of my best friends. In 1952, I was on a weekend pass from the army and staying at Doctor Taylors house. He asked me if I knew Edda Fiacco and I said I did but had never dated or even telephoned her. He suggested that I call her. I did but Robert answered the phone and told me that Edda was not at home. He told me Edda was expected to be home in about an hour. He told me to come down to the house as he would like to meet me. I did we chatted about the time I spent with the 1950 Dodgers baseball team and
what it was like being in the army. He introduced me to his mom, dad and his brother Stephen. Shortly after that Edda arrived. She almost passed out when she saw me. Robert introduced his sister to me and since Robert approved of me his mom and dad did as well. I left the next day started letter writing to Edda and a year later Edda and I got married. Bet you never knew your dad was a match maker. Edda. passed away on 2/12/2011. She’s up there waiting for you Robert. Give her my love and a big hug for me. Oh, how I miss her.
Uncle Leo