The president of ACF Fiorentina, Rocco Commisso, has died at the age of 76 following a lengthy period of medical treatment, the Italian club confirmed early Saturday.
Fiorentina confirmed Commisso’s death in a statement posted on its website, describing it as a heartbreaking loss for his family, the club, and the larger football world.
The statement read, “After a prolonged period of medical treatment, our beloved president has left us, and today we all mourn his passing.
“For his family, he was an example and a guiding light, a loyal and faithful man who, alongside his wife Catherine, reached the milestone of 50 years of marriage and who was a strict yet loving father to his children, just as his character was: gentle and determined.”
The club stated that he and his wife had been married for 50 years and described him as a loving family man and a role model for those around him.
The club stated that the American-Italian businessman took over Fiorentina seven years ago, during which time he became closely associated with the club, its fans, and the city of Florence.
According to the report, Fiorentina reached two UEFA Conference League finals and one Coppa Italia final during his tenure.
Football, according to the club, was one of Commisso’s biggest hobbies, and Fiorentina became fundamental to his life after he purchased the Viola. He was recognized for his tight relationship with supporters and his personal demeanor, frequently insisting on being addressed simply as “Rocco.”
“His love for Fiorentina was the greatest gift he gave himself, spending unforgettable days with the boys and girls of the youth teams, always offering a caring gesture and a smile to everyone. Tireless, he worked until his final days, dedicating himself to his companies, Mediacom and Fiorentina, and to their future. Football was his passion, and Fiorentina became so seven years ago, when Rocco took charge of the Viola club and began to love its supporters, its colors, and the city of Florence. ‘Call me Rocco,’ he had simply said to everyone, with his extraordinary empathy.
“He was always close to Florence and the Florentines, in everyday life and also during the most difficult period of the Covid emergency, when the ‘Forza e Cuore’ campaign provided substantial donations to the city’s hospitals,” the statement said.
“The Rocco B. Commisso Viola Park, the home of Fiorentina, will live forever bearing his name—an indelible symbol of his affection and his desire to look toward the future of young people. The boys and girls who grew up under his guidance in the youth academy have won trophies and continue their journey with Fiorentina’s men’s and women’s first teams,” the statement added.
The club stated that the Commisso family expressed gratitude to those who supported him during his final days and said his memory would remain alive in the hearts of all who knew and worked with him.
“A heartfelt thought in this moment of great sadness goes to everyone at Fiorentina—staff, players, and employees—to the entire Viola community, and especially to the boys and girls who will continue to carry the Viola colors and the memory of our Rocco throughout Italy and the world,” the statement added.
Commisso will be missed by his wife, Catherine; children, Giuseppe and Marisa; sisters, Italia and Raffaelina; friends; and football fans.
