Obituary of Floyd Passardi

     It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Floyd Fiorino Passardi. He passed away with his family by his side at his home in St Petersburg FL on October 23,2020. He is the son of Mary (Chiachiaretto) and Michael Passardi. Born in Pittsfield on December 15, 1933.
     Floyd’s formal schooling was always a little spotty, he spent his younger years dodging truant officers, opting
to set his sights on Chicago instead. He was humbled to receive an honorary diploma, presented
to him by classmates at his class reunion of Pittsfield High School.
     In 1952, during the Korean War, he joined the Navy as a Seabee. He was stationed in Africa. It was
during his time serving in the Navy that he began to learn plumbing. His big thrill was hitching a ride on
the Battleship USS Missouri. In 2016 he was able to visit the USS New Jersey for his son in law’s reunion
and to relive those memories of being on the big ship.
     In 1955 he married Dolores Zepka . Together they had two children, Michael and Susan. Floyd and
Dolores later separated and divorced.
     Floyd quickly honed his plumbing skills. He served as a superintendent for DF Harrington in the early
60’s and oversaw the jobs in Burlington VT. He would bring the family up during the summers where they
loved boating, water skiing and spending time on Lake Champlain.
     In 1968 he founded Pittsfield Pipers and guided the company to the success it still enjoys today. He had
facilities in Burlington Vermont for many years, and continues to have facilities in Poughkeepsie NY. He
developed lifelong friends in both locations, keeping in touch until his death.
     Floyd met Dixie Lou Thompson and the two were married in 1998. Together they shared a life full of
travel and adventure. They hosted many fun themed parties at their home in St Pete Fla. In 2018 Floyd
visited Italy with his sister Judy to find his family. They were astonished to find his and his sister's
pictures hung on the walls in their family's home in Italy.
     Floyd accomplished many things in his life. He had a wide variety of interests and met each one of them
with obsessive detail and passion. Always dreaming of being a riverboat captain, he obtained his
Captain’s license and chartered his boat on the Hudson River . Floyd was a winemaker, pie maker,
businessman, mentor, and friend. The holiday traditions were always a special time to share with family.
He was known for especially challenging (and rewarding) Easter egg hunts, all you can eat candy on
Thanksgiving, and being the best dressed at any holiday party. He loved his family and loved being a
Grampa to Amanda and Allie.
     He leaves his adoring wife Dixie. Her children Bret and Chad Thompson
     He also leaves his children, Michael (Terri)Passardi, Susan (Russ) Charron and their children Amanda
(Kevin) Foss, and Allie Charron. He would have loved to meet his first great granddaughter Lucy Fiorina
Foss who was born Oct 22,2020.
     He leaves his sister Judy Fresia and her children Marc (Nena)Fresia , Lisa (Vince) Cruz and John Fresia.
     His motto is immortalized “ Never, Never,Never give up!”
     Burial will take place at St Joseph Cemetery at 222 Pecks Rd in Pittsfield Mass Aug 4th at 11:00 with a
Celebration of Life luncheon at Proprietors Lodge, 22 Waubeek Rd in Pittsfield at 12:30. We welcome you
to come and share your memories with us.