Fioramante Maruco, 89
ADAMS, Mass. — Fioramante Mario "Fiore" Maruco, 89, formerly of 19 Friend St., died Tuesday, May 2, 2003,at the Soldiers' Home in Chelsea, where he had resided for several years.
He was a well-known local boxer when he was younger.
Born in North Adams on Aug. 18, 1913, son of Francesco and Maria Mancuso Maruco, he attended North Adams schools. He had lived in Adams since 1941.
A Navy veteran of World War II, he served with the Seabees in the Pacific theater until his honorable discharge in 1945.
Mr. Maruco was a professional middleweight boxer, fighting under the name "Young Canera" and as the "Pride of North Adams," from 1931 to 1940. In 1947, he purchased the former Meadowbrook Arena in North Adams and renamed it Glover's Bowl. He promoted boxing and wrestling matches, and in 1955, it became the training camp for Archie Moore as he prepared to fight heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano.
He also was employed in construction as an iron worker with Iron Workers Local 12. He also operated a wreath-making business part time. He first worked at the former Windsor Print Works in North Adams, then for several area construction companies before enlisting in the Navy.
He was a communicant of the Parish of Notre Dame-St. Thomas and was an usher at St. Thomas' Church for more than 50 years. He coached youth boxing at St. Thomas' for several years. He was a member of Adams Post 160 American Legion and Dr. George L. Curran Post 996 VFW in North Adams; a past senior vice commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 63 in North Adams; a member and past treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Eagles; a member of the Adams Lodge of Elks, and a former member of the Sons of Italy in North Adams.
He enjoyed making homemade wines.
His wife, the former Alice May Saar, whom he married Oct. 22, 1941, died May 5, 1986.
He leaves two daughters, Maxine Kelsey and her husband, John, of Foxborough and Susan Picardi and her husband, William, of Southborough; four sisters, Palm Rose Maruco of Williamstown, Rita Baker of North Adams, Anna Minicone of Washington, D.C., and Viola Novak of Norfolk, Va.; three grandchildren, Adam Kelsey of Waltham, Sonya Kelsey Beigel of Foxboro and Preston Picardi of San Francisco; three great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Maxwell Beigel of Foxboro and Alexander Kelsey of Waltham; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Peter Maruco in 1994 and Joseph Maruco in 1996, and two sisters, Carmela Matrigali in 1965 and Emma Raithel in 1993.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mr. Maruco will be Thursday at 9:15 from Auge-Paciorek-Simmons Funeral Home, 13 Hoosac St., Adams, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church by the Rev. Bonaventure Moccia, pastor. Burial will follow in Bellevue Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Wednesday from 4 to 7 at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association through the funeral home.