Alfonso “Fonzie” Ferrentino, 44, of Brimfield, MA and previously of Hampden, left this life for the next on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Fonzie was born to Francesco and Rosa (Izzo) Ferrentino of Hampden on November 12th, 1979. He attended school in Springfield and Hampden, graduating from Minnechaug Regional High School in 1997. He attended Springfield Technical Community College, graduating in 2005 with a degree in criminal justice. Fonz was an accomplished basketball player through high school and college, a trait he passed to his son and found happiness in teaching him skills. He loved the Boston Celtics more than any other fan (and wore a Cs jersey at the Basketball Hall of Fame on his wedding day).
Fonzie’s parents have owned and operated Francesco’s Restaurant in Brimfield for nearly 37 years. He was employed there for decades as a line cook and pizza chef. His presence in the pizza window and talent in his craft was cherished by the local community. He also spent several years working at Mount Holyoke College Dining Services, where he met and made many friends before his physical health posed challenges and he was forced to stop working behind the line.
Alfonso began dating the love of his life, Brenna McGinn, in 2009, and they were engaged and settled in Brimfield in 2010. They were married on July 31, 2011 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Springfield, MA, followed by a celebration at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Fonzie and Brenna were blessed with a son, Francesco Vincenzo, in 2013, and a daughter, Cynthia Rose, in 2015. Fonzie shined most as a fiercely devoted dad to his kids. He was a fixture at their sports events and activities, and appreciated traveling to Pompano Beach, FL, Disney World, and the Cape with his family.
Besides his wife and children, he leaves his parents, his sister and brother-in-law, Teresa Ferrentino and Seth Table of Monson, and his sister Cathy Ferrentino of Brookfield. He leaves many aunts and uncles - Mario and Dina Ferrentino, Caterina and Francesco Montefusco, Annamaria and Antonio Berardi, Joe and Joanne Ferrentino, Claudio and Cindy Ferrentino, Annamaria and Joe DeSousa, Teresa and Jeff Paulin, Agnese and Andy Suleski, Patsy and Michelle Izzo, and Giovanna and Carmine Battipaglia. He leaves his father-in-law, James DiCiocco of Feeding Hills, brothers and sisters-in-law, Jim and Joeleen DiCiocco and Christine and Ken Moriarty, all of West Springfield, as well as a niece, Sage, and four nephews, Ethan, Connor, James, and Jianni.
Fonzie leaves a vast extended family, countless friends, their families, and acquaintances. He was loved by many because he was easy to love. His dearest and most devoted friends were lifelong - his cousins. He leaves 23 first cousins, their spouses, and their children. He was predeceased by his maternal grandparents Nino and Filomena (Calvanese) Izzo, paternal grandparents Alfonso and Teresa (Grimaldi) Ferrentino, and cousins Vincenza Montefusco and Nino DeSousa. There is peace in knowing he joined them all, with several friends and his dogs, in eternal life.
Please remember him for his big smile and blue eyes, his heart of gold, willingness to help anyone when needed, your own experience knowing him, and, above all, his immeasurable love and pride for his greatest accomplishments, Frankie and Cynthia.
Photos
Lifetime
The world Alfonso knew
Family milestones in gold, history for context
1979
Born November 12
1989
Alfonso was 10 when "The Simpsons" debuted as a series
1995
Alfonso was 16 when "Toy Story" became the first fully computer-animated film
1998
Alfonso was 19 when "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was published in America
Fonz, thank you for our beautiful, perfect and profoundly wise, funny kids. You gave everything you had to us. We believed in you no matter what - then, now, forever. We were so proud to call you ours, and proud of the kind of human being you were. Please protect our babies and show us you’re with us as often as you can. We feel you already, but right now it’s excruciating. We hope you’re free of pain. Please give your mother-in-law a hug from us when you get there. You are the love of my life and I love you endlessly. We love you endlessly.
xoxox, Bren, Frankie (Cheech) & Cia (Nonchie)
