Fiorentino Talarico, 98, passed away on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at the East Longmeadow home of his daughter Ilda Fazio, surrounded by his loving family. Fiorentino, affectionately known as Zio Fiore, Compari Fiore, or simply Nonno was born in San Michele, Provinca di Catanzaro, Calabria, Italy on November 17, 1920. Fiore was the son of the late Antonio Talarico and Concetta (Mazza). He was married to his beloved wife Franceschina (Mazzei), on April 20, 1939. During their 73 years together Fiore and Franceschina moved from San Michele to San Maurizio d’Opaglio where Fiore became employee number 21 at CIM Valve as caretaker and assistant to the Cimberio family. Upon his retirement from CIM Valve in 1985, Fiore and Franceschina moved back to San Michele to spend the next 25 years tending to their olive tree farm until the passing of Franceschina on January 2, 2012. In addition to his parents and his wife, Fiore is predeceased by six brothers, Francesco, Giuseppe, Dante, Luigi, Michele, Angeleno; three sisters, Maria, Luigina, Rosina; and his son-in-law, Antonio Fazio. After the death of Franceschina, Fiore moved to the United States in 2012 to spend time with his family, where he enjoyed gardening, playing cards, reading the Italian newspaper, discussing politics, and the company of family and friends. He is survived by his three devoted children, Ilda Fazio of East Longmeadow, Antonietta Talarico and her husband Michele Nicotera of Briga Novarese, Italy and Angelo Talarico and his wife Carmen Sorventino of San Maurzio d’Opaglio, Italy; nine grandchildren, Frank, Peter, Daniel, Aldo, and Steve Fazio, Guiseppe and Fiorella Nicotera, Fabio and Stefano Talarico; their spouses, 14 great grandchildren, as well as a large extended family. Family and friends will gather on Sunday, February 10, 2019, from 2-5 PM at the Byron Keenan Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center, 1858 Allen Street, Springfield, MA, 01118, to celebrate Fiore’s life. His funeral will be held on Monday, February 11, 2019, at 10:00 AM from the Byron Keenan Funeral Home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:30 AM at St. Michael's Church, 128 Maple Street in East Longmeadow. Burial will take place in Italy. In lieu of flowers the family request a charitable donation be made to St. Michael’s Open Pantry 128 Maple St. E.L., MA 01028. For more information, please visit us at www.byronkeenan.com