Welcome back to The Legacy Family Spotlight, a monthly media feature highlighting the proud tradition of attending Siena where green and gold runs through the generations. The Fiorillo family, a Siena legacy that began in the 1980s and continues to thrive as we start 2025, is a story rich with cherished memories rooted in transformative experiences from faith to the field, all while community members have mentored and woven the story together. For the Fiorillo family, their story doesn’t end when walking across the finish line, or commencement stage, but is the start of a legacy that grows stronger with each passing year, carried forward by the values, friendships, and lessons that Siena instilled deep within them.
Joseph Fiorillo, class of 1988, began this tradition by playing men’s lacrosse in the mid-1980s. A time when Siena did not belong to a conference and was coached by alumnus Thomas Pillsworth, class of 1961. Daughters, Annie (Fiorillo) Bellomo ’19, and Emily Fiorillo ’21 played lacrosse at Siena. Annie served as a team captain her senior year while boasting MAAC All-Academic honors, along with her sister Emily, who also served as team captain, boasting the same MAAC All-Academic honors. In 2019 the program reached 12 wins, the most in the program’s history, which along with 2023, holds to this day. Patrick, class of 2024, the most recent Fiorillo grad, competed in cross country and track. During his senior year, keeping with tradition, was named team captain and through the years saw great success, placing among the top 25 consistently in the MAAC Indoor Track Championships.
If asked, you’ll likely find that the early morning workouts became more than a test of physical strength and endurance, but a way to transform friendship into family, and coaches into close family friends. For Joseph, one of the most impactful community members of his Siena experience was having Greg Dashnow, known as “Hammer,” as the team’s athletic trainer. Greg’s influence extended across generations of Fiorillos. “Greg was still working with Siena when my daughter Annie, her husband Ryan, my daughter Emily, and my son Patrick were competing in their respective sports,” Joseph shares. “When I brought Annie to visit Siena before she decided where to attend, Greg told her, ‘If you decide to come here, please don’t hesitate to ask for help whether you play a sport or not, because you are family.” In a similar sense, Emily shares, “It wasn’t just about all the great moments on the field. From all of the early mornings and intense practices to the moments of success and defeat, I learned the true meaning of hard work, determination, and perseverance. The bonds I formed with my teammates and coaches and the lessons we shared on and off the field will forever be a part of who I am.” Annie recalls meeting her husband, Ryan Bellomo, during her freshman year at Siena. “Our relationship grew throughout my four years there, making Siena an incredibly special place for both of us,” she says. “One person who had a profound impact on our time at Siena was Fr. Larry Anderson, O.F.M. His kindness, guidance, and unwavering support made Siena feel like more than just a school—it truly became a community where we felt valued and inspired.” The reflections and quotes highlight the impact of what four years at Siena can have on someone.
The Fiorillo’s Siena legacy continues to shape their lives beyond college. Joe is now Head of Partnerships at Ninth Wave, Annie works as a Sales Service Executive at Major League Baseball, Emily serves as an Assurance Senior at CBIZ, and Patrick is a Planning Associate at WPP Unite.