Alfonso Ferrentino

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 and Brenna McGinn settled in Brimfield in 2010 and were married on July 31, 2011. They 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 and four nephews. 

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. 

Calling hours for Fonzie will be held Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from 4-7PM at Forastiere Smith Funeral & Cremation, 220 N. Main St., East Longmeadow, MA. A funeral service will be held Thursday, April 11th beginning at 8:45AM from the funeral home with a Liturgy of Christian Burial, to be celebrated at 10AM, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Springfield, MA. Burial will follow in the Springfield Street Cemetery, Feeding Hills. For online condolences please visit www.forastiere.com.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice. An education fund for Fonzie’s children has also been set up and contributions may be made to the Francesco and Cynthia Ferrentino Education Fund c/o Country Bank, 9 Main Street, Brimfield, MA 01010.