Believes that his work as a composer of sacred music is one of his most valuable contributions not only to the Italian community but also the community at large
Has heard from Father Rizzo in Thunder Bay that the local parish also uses his compositions in the Christmas and Easter services
Another important work is the hymn to Santa Maria Goretti with lyrics by Father Francesco Mascetti; Father Mascetti is a noted theologian belonging to the Scalibrini order of missionaries serving Italian communities abroad and is an expert in the life of the Saint; Father Mascetti asked him to compose the hymn
Also composes light music such as the song he wrote for the Italian seniors about the game of bocce and reflects on the pleasures of retirement and relaxation; another song, "L'uomo e la sua Chiesa" ["The man and his church"] was written in 1991 after meeting the journalist Franco Bartucci in Italy who wrote the lyrics and he composed a rock song to accompany them; another song, "Ritorno dove sono nato" ["Return to where I was born"] was written to lyrics by Professor Matteo Saccomanno on his return to his home region
On reflection, he says that he probably should have dedicated himself more to his music than to other pursuits
With respect to his inventions, he notes that in Edmonton, houses are prone to sewer backups; to avoid this, in 1974 he developed and patented the Fiodrain; in 1984 he developed the Fiovalve; both include part of his name
("Fio")
In order to patent these works, he had to put all that he had, including his house, on the line; the process of testing the various products, including complex hydrocarbons from which the drain and valve were made, was very expensive; now they are in production and are used even in Italy; the Fiodrain went into production in 1978 and the Fiovalve in 1985; these have been well reviewed in the North American media and he was awarded a gold medal in New York for the inventions
There are many people from Grimaldi in Edmonton and, after Mass, they like to talk about the old paese [town], whether the figs are in season or the chestnuts
He would like his music to be published in Italy and to be played in his home province of Calabria
Heritage Community Foundation Presents
)
