Michael Peter Fiorentino

Michael Peter Fiorentino was born on July 2,1934, in Brooklyn, New York to Maurice Lawrence Fiorentino and Julia Regina Fazio Fiorentino. His father, a WPA laborer and his mother, a seamstress, (both the children of Sicilian immigrants) strived to provide a better life for their son Michael and their daughter Grace. Michael often spoke of the Brooklyn cold water flat in which they lived, the freezing temperatures of the New York winters, and how difficult life was during the 1930s Great Depression.

Michael began showing signs of having a musical ear at a very young age, always singing for his grandparents and parents. His mother urged him to learn music. She believed he had a talent for it and as soon as he picked up the trumpet, everyone could hear that she was right. As a teenager, Michael started playing weddings and bar mitzvahs all over New York to help provide for his family financially.

Michael continued to focus on his studies and was an honor roll student. Michael attended David A. Boody Middle School and Lafayette High School where he enjoyed playing football and lead trumpet in the band.

He attended Brooklyn College and was soon hired by a small finance company in Manhattan, New York where he started a very successful banking career. His talents were recognized early on and by 1959 he was transferred by the bank to Los Angeles to start a branch for them. The small finance company was then acquired by Chemical Bank of NY and Michael became the head of the Los Angeles branch, expanding their business greatly. During this time, Michael moved to Manhattan Beach, California which he called his little slice of paradise. He created a strong career with multiple banks- from Bank of America to Wells Fargo. During his career, he made a long list of close colleagues and friends that he held so dear and kept throughout his life.

Michael was also a very active person. He loved everything from handball, baseball, swimming, and golf. He had a “larger than life” personality and made multiple lifetime friendships throughout.

Michael was very proud of his Sicilian heritage. Telling jokes to friends and family was a favorite pastime as he loved to make people laugh. He loved his family more than anything. Michael enjoyed cooking and entertaining friends while playing his favorite jazz. He lit up every room he walked into.

Michael loved to create memories on family vacations with his children and every vacation with him was an adventure. He often spoke fondly of his trip to Italy with his older children. He especially loved Palm Desert and would take his kids every year. He even continued the tradition with his daughter (Pierra), son in law (TJ), and grandchildren.

Mike Fiorentino By Paul Fasoli

As we pass thru life, the more we advance, the more we learn about our second set of parents, which would be Mother Nature, and Father Time. We more try to understand our purpose and role on this planet. We introspect our ultimate accomplishments, or lack thereof. Mike's role had to be evident from day one. LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE. That was his expertise. Huge heart, more like family than friend. Kind of like an overzealous puppy or dog, that can hardly wait to jump on you lap. Mike's major accomplishments were his six children, and numerous grandchildren. When he would talk about his family one could see that that was the most special aspect of his life. What an honor to be the godfather of his daughter Ariana. What an honor to have Mike as a near lifelong friend, second brother, and to be a part of his life. I know we have a continuation of existence. I know that Mike is greeting a lot of the souls that were an aspect of his love, life, and laughter.

Michael is survived by his children Christine, Pierra, Gianina, Ariana, Christopher, and the memory of his late son Michael; As well as his five grandchildren Julia, Cataldo, Josephina, Calogero, and Zoe.