Joe Barone family members thank Fiorentina fans for their support which has been ‘A source of immense comfort to us all and reminding us that we are not alone in our grief.’
Barone died on March 19 at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan two days after suffering cardiac arrest.
Over 10,000 Fiorentina fans arrived at Viola Park the following day to pay their respects to Barone and tonight, they’ll play the first competitive match since the tragic death of their director.
Barone’s children and wife thanked Fiorentina supporters with a letter published on the club’s official website hours before tonight’s Serie A meeting with Milan.
“Popolo Viola,
“The Barone Family would like to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support during this profoundly challenging time. The passing of our beloved father has left a void in our lives that can never be filled. Your outpouring of love has been a source of immense comfort to us all and reminds us that we are not alone in our grief.
“We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to President Rocco B. Commisso, his family, and the entire Fiorentina community. You allowed our father to live his dream, and for that, we are forever grateful. To the entire Fiorentina staff, continue to work with the same enthusiasm and passion as our father. To every coach and player, continue to honor the badge and fight relentlessly as our father did.
“To the Curva Fiesole, continue to be the lifeblood of the stadium. Your voices will echo his spirit in the sky. As we head into the first match without him, we ask you to immortalize Joe Barone.
“Sempre Forza Viola,
“Pietro, Gabriella, Salvatore e Giuseppe Barone.”
Barone had been Fiorentina’s general manager since 2019 when Rocco Commisso acquired the club from the Della Valle family. Before his spell at the Stadio Franchi, he had served as the New York Cosmos’ vice president.
Barone’s funerals were held in Pozzallo, Sicily, where the Italian-American director was born in 1966 and New York, where he had moved when he was eight.