- August 14, 2026
Anthony Louis “Tony” Fiato Jr., 84, of Binghamton, (and Palm Coast, FL), passed away peacefully on August 6, 2026, after being surrounded by the love of his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony (Teddy) L. Fiato Sr. and Nellie (Marcello) Fiato, and brother-in-law, Richard Cole, and many very special close and dear friends.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Claire, his children Chris (Barbara), Greg (Alison), grandchildren Michael, Nicholas, Joshua (Bri), Jacob, Noah and Hannah Shick, great grandchildren, Jackson, Jenna, and Carter, his sisters, Shirely (Daniel) Walsh, Dawn Cole, brother Jerry (Darlene) Kocik, sister in laws, Bethy (Gary) McLean, Barbara McLean, brother-in-law George (Christine) Mclean and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his loyal dog, Tasha.
Tony lived a life defined by hard work, humility, and devotion to his family. On July 27, 1963, he married the love of his life, Mary Claire “Claire” Fiato. Together they shared 63 years of marriage, raising their family and building a life filled with love, dedication, and countless memories.
Tony started his career by joining the Plumbers and Pipefitters union, and after years with Stellmack, he began a career with IBM. When Tony retired from IBM, he fulfilled his dream building Fiato’s Apple Orchard. The orchard became more than a business, it became a place where families gathered, enjoyed hayrides, warm treats, the petting zoo, and lasting memories were made. Tony ‘s fondest memories of the Orchard were the children that it served. Tony was also well known for carrying on the “Fiato Sausage” tradition.
Tony was happiest outdoors. Whether working in the orchard, hunting with lifelong friends, building or repairing almost anything, or reloading shells, he found joy in staying busy. He built much of the family’s home on Reynolds Circle with his own hands and was known for a garage filled with tools, parts, and supplies that reflected a lifetime of creativity and craftsmanship. He truly was a jack of all trades and could build or fix anything. When his sons raced motocross, Tony was always there as their trusted mechanic and their biggest supporter.
Although he often joked that he wasn’t much of a beach person, Tony never missed the family’s annual beach vacation because being together mattered most. Later, he and Claire enjoyed over fifteen years as snowbirds, in Palm Coast, Florida, where they built many new friendships and special relationships.
Tony loved Claire’s cooking, Italian food, chocolate milkshakes, hunting and hunting trips out West, clay bird shooting, and especially the companionship of his faithful pets. He found comfort in the belief that one day he would be reunited with them on Rainbow Bridge.
Following two back surgeries, Tony worked hard to regain his strength. His family is especially grateful to his loving brother-in-law George McLean for the care, encouragement, and support that helped him through his recovery to get him back on his feet. Special thanks also to the care givers from Home Instead who supported the family in their time of need the last weeks of his life.
Tony will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, outdoorsman, craftsman, and friend. His greatest legacy is not only the orchard, the sausage he made, or the things he built, the friendships he had, but the family he loved and the values of hard work, kindness, and integrity that he passed on to future generations.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Broome County Humane Society or a charity of your choice in Tony’s memory.
A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Court Street, Binghamton, Saturday August 29, 2026 at 10 a.m. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main Street, Binghamton, Friday August 28, 2026 from 4 to 6 p.m.
