CIRIO, AMELIA VIOLA

Died June 4, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. Mrs. Cirio was born in Fitchburg, MA May 12, 1915, the daughter of Thomas and Anna Scarano Gallucci. Amelia graduated from Fitchburg State College in 1938. After graduation, she started teaching in a one room schoolhouse in Connecticut. Then, in l947, Viola earned a master’s degree from Boston University. In 1952 Viola married an Italian Businessman, the late, Henry A. Cirio. They honeymooned and lived near Rome for two years. After returning to the United States, the couple moved to Phoenix where Viola began a successful career in real estate. Viola and her husband shared a love for Italian Culture and traveled to Europe many times during their marriage. Throughout her life, Viola pursued her deep interest in the study of Western Civilization by focusing on the art and culture of Italy. In 1995 she established the Henry A. Cirio Fund at Teikyo Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut. The fund assists children and teenagers enrolled in the Alba Program. The Alba program offers students Italian cultural courses and language classes. Because of her philanthropic contributions Viola has been given a lifetime membership in the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies in London. Viola was known as a generous giving person but she was also known for her love of cooking. She mastered many Italian favorites from her kitchen. In addition to the many kindnesses Viola bestowed on her three sisters, brother and numerous nieces and nephews, she was a nationally known benefactor and a true renaissance woman. Viola traveled to the east coast several times a year but when in Phoenix she enjoyed going to several local Italian restaurants and loved listening to the Saturday afternoon opera radio broadcast from the Met. Amelia Viola Gallucci-Cirio’s life was full. She filled it with love for family and friends while exhibiting a philanthropic spirit with grace and dignity. Her generosity to those who bring Italian Culture into the community is a gift to us all. Amelia Viola Gallucci-Cirio was the definition of “role model” for the twenty-first century.
Survivors include her sisters Christine Gallucci of Phoenix and Anne Sweeney of Woodbury, Connecticut, a brother Donald of Phoenix and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by husband Aldo Cirio, brothers Joseph L. Gallucci and Thomas Gallucci and a sister Concetta Piazza. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am, with Funeral Mass at 10:00 am, Friday, June 11, 2010 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4715 N. Central Avenue. Interment will be at St. James Cemetery, Naugatuck, Connecticut. Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family in Connecticut. Donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phx., AZ. 85014.