O Italian football woke up, this Saturday, to the tragic news of the death of Rocco Commisso, the man who held the position of president of Fiorentina, since 2019, when he acquired the club, and who was in the United States of America, in recent weeks, receiving treatment for a serious illness, which has not yet been clarified.
The announcement of the death of the Italian-American businessman, at 76 years of age, was made by the viola emblem itself, at 3:15 am (Continental Portugal time), through a statement shared on official platforms: “With great sorrow and sadness, the Comisso family, his wife, Catherine, his children, Giuseppe and Marisa, and his sisters, Italia and Raffaelina, announce the death of President Rocco B. Commisso”.
“After a long period of treatment, our beloved president left us, and today, we are all mourning his passing. For his family, he was an example, a guide, a loyal and believing man, who, alongside his wife, Catherine, reached the milestone of 50 years of marriage, and, with his children, was a firm and loving father”, it can be read.
“His love for Fiorentina was the most beautiful gift he ever gave himself, spending unforgettable days with the boys and girls of the youth teams, always with affection and a smile for everyone. Unstoppable, he worked until his last days, dedicating himself to Fiorentina and its future”, he continues.
“Football was his passion, and Fiorentina became his love seven years ago, when Rocco took over the leadership of the Viola club and began to adore his fans, his colors and the city of Florence. ‘Call me Rocco’, he simply said to everyone, with his extraordinary empathy”, he adds.
On the same note, the historic Serie A club made it known that, from now on, its training center will be called Rocco B. Commisso Viola Park, as it is “an indelible mark of affection and desire to look after the future of young players”, having been mainly responsible for its construction.
“The Commisso family wishes to thank all those who supported them during this difficult period, and it is certain that Rocco’s memory will remain forever in the hearts of the many people who loved him and shared moments with him, both difficult and beautiful. Our thoughts, in this sad period, are with everyone at Fiorentina”, he concludes.
Legacy also in the world of audiovisual
However, it wasn’t just in the world of football that Rocco Commisso left his mark. In 1995, he was one of the founders of Mediacom, which would become one of the largest cable television companies in the United States of America, having since held the position of executive director, which he combined with that of president of Fiorentina.
His CV also included holdings in other North American companies, such as Cablevision, Royal Bank of Canada and Chase Manhattan Bank. However, he never hid the love he had for football, and, even before the ‘Italian adventure’, in 2017, he went ahead with the acquisition of the New York Cosmos.
Read Also: Fiorentina face Jagiellonia. The Conference League playoff draw
Worth a look
