Angelo Sam Fierro

Angelo S. Fierro (Ange) passed on to be with the Lord on Saturday May 31, 2014 after 93 years of wonderful life. Ange was born on April 7, 1921 in a small town in upstate New York, Herkimer. The home in Herkimer was built in 1900 by Ange’s grandfather and overtime housed all of his extended family including his mother, Amelia and father, Sam. Also his wonderful sister and brother-in-law Rose Mary and Anthony Valent. No story about this fabulous man can be complete without adding the story of his wonderful wife, Wilma and their marriage of over 70 years. As stated, Ange was born and raised in an Italian neighborhood while Wilma was raised in the Oklahoma Bible Belt. 1943 found the United States at war and during this year they found each other. Their meeting occurred during a USO dance in Amarillo, Texas where Ange was stationed and Wilma worked in the secretarial pool. Love at first sight prevailed once again as the dancing duo became inseparable. In the following year Ange asked for her hand in marriage and in November of 1944 Wilma boarded a train to New York to meet Ange’s parents and family with a scheduled wedding day of Thanksgiving Day, November 23. The young married couple remained in Herkimer for a short time and then threw caution to the wind and headed to Phoenix, Arizona. Wilma had family in Phoenix and Ange secured work in the construction industry working for the Arizona Construction Company which was owned by Wilma’s uncle, Clarence Suggs. From an early age, Ange’s dream was to own and operate his own barber shop and in 1947 Ange’s Barber Shop opened on South Central Ave and Riverside St. His business thrived and went on to last over 50 years. Many may remember his last location, Thunderbird Country Club, where we all could find him in his custom engraved golf cart hitting balls and cutting hair in his exclusive barbershop located on site. Wilma stayed home to raise two children, Judy, born on February 7, 1947 and Sam on June 22, 1949.Ange and Wilma’s greatest dream was realized as both their children graduated from Arizona State University going on to have successful lives giving them 5 grandchildren and 9 great children. Ange and his best friend and love Wilma have influenced many thousands of lives in their time together. Many have passed on, but for those remaining all recognize and respect the great legacy that this couple has created. Angelo is survived by his partner in life, Wilma, their daughter Judy Morris of Gilbert, Arizona and her two daughters Angela Zapustas of Boston, Mass and Holly Schneider of Chandler, Arizona. Also, their son Sam Fierro of Vancouver, Washington he and his wife Chris’ and their 3 children Danny Fierro of East Mesa, Arizona; Katie Fierro of Boerne, Texas and Jim Fierro of Denver, Colorado. Papa, as we all referred to him, was one of the most loving, gentle, and giving human beings God has ever graced this world with. For those of us who were so privileged to have had him in our lives, the example he set will last forever. A true gentleman who always put his family first. We will continue to celebrate his life, and loving memory while he enjoys an eternity in heaven. Memorial Services will be held at Resthaven Park Mortuary, 4310 E. Southern Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona on Saturday June 14, 2014 from 1:00pm – 3:00pm. Please visit www.resthavenpark.com to leave your condolences.