John A. Fiorella

John is survived by his sister Carmen (Steven) Fritz of Columbia, Maryland, as well as his nephew Eric (Tracy) Fritz, his nieces Stephanie (David) Savolaine and Melissa (Christopher) Manthorne, and four grand nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, John J. Fiorella of Leawood, Kansas, his mother Sarafina Diesi Fiorella and his brother, Frank J. Fiorella, both of. Tampa, Florida.

John was born on November 2, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri to John and Sarafina Fiorella. He earned a B.A. in History at Rockhurst University in Kansas City, an M.A. in Counseling from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, and a Ph.D. in Psychology of Education from the Ecole Superieure Universitaire de Sorbon in Paris.

He began teaching at Bishop Miege High School in Shawnee Mission, Kansas before becoming the Guidance Director at Bishop Hogan High School in Kansas City. From here he moved to Barstow School in Kansas City, a private school where he served as Guidance Director. In 1984 he came to the Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, where he served as a teacher and guidance counselor until his retirement. He was a nationally certified psychologist and a dedicated teacher who helped many students at all the schools where he taught.

John served as the long-time president of the Homeowners Association of Copperfield Townsquare Townhomes in the Town and Country area of Tampa. During the economic crisis of 2008, his leadership was instrumental in keeping the HOA solvent at a time when many townhome communities in Florida were facing bankruptcy. He was an accomplished leader who dedicated himself to knowing the members of his community and seeking their cooperation in maintaining the property at a high level for all residents. As a result he had many loyal supporters who reelected him President year after year.

He was a dedicated member of Saint Lawrence Catholic Church in Tampa, where he served for many years as an usher. He was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus in Kansas City, where he joined the Fourth Degree, in which he participated in programs that promoted Catholic citizenship.

In his private life, John was intensely proud of his Italian heritage. He researched his family history in depth and traced a very rich heritage in Italy back to the sixteenth century.

A funeral Mass is scheduled at 11:00 Wednesday, June 14, in Saint Lawrence Church, 5223 N Himes Ave. Father Xavy Castro will officiate at the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John's life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of John Fiorella to Catholic Charities Gift Processing, PO Box 40200, St. Petersburg, FL 33743. Condolences can be sent to Carmen Fritz at 7524 Hollowell Drive, Tampa, FL, 33615. The family would like to thank his many friends in Copperfield Townhomes as well as the caregivers at HCA South Tampa Hospital and at Tampa Lakes Health and Rehabilitation Center for their support during his final illness.