Jim Fiorita was an outstanding athlete at Stivers. He was a star on the football and baseball teams, earning 6 varsity letters in his high school career. Jim was “All-City” as a halfback during the 1937 football season and teamed with Bernard “Beno” Keiter on this select group of footballers in Dayton. The Dayton Daily News was quoted “Jim was Stivers ace ball toter, who has finished his third season as a standout. Besides his football ability, Jim is a likable chap and probably the most popular boy at Stivers. Fiorita is a smart runner who can follow interference to perfection and also see holes other backs would miss”! Jim also played 3 years of varsity baseball at Stivers and excelled in this sport as well. He was a center fielder and used his speed well both in the outfield and running the bases.
Jim Fiorita received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Dayton and continued his career as a star for Coach Harry Baujan’s Dayton Flyers. Several pro baseball teams scouted him prior to WWII, but he entered the U.S. Army to serve his country in 1942. Jim completed his army duties following WWII and he was employed by General Motors, Delco Division, where he served as a supervisor until retirement.
Jim passed away in 2004 and is survived by his wife of 62 years, Betty. They had four children: Jim Jr., Ted, Dee and Vince. They were also blessed with nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. They all live in the Dayton area. Dee is married to Dr. Tim Quinn, UD’s team Physician and Orthopedic Surgeon. Coincidentally, Jim Fiorita, and Tim Quinn’s father were teammates on the same UD football team in 1941.
