Fred Anthony Sirianni, 89, of Vero Beach, FL and formerly of Eau Claire, WI died on January 26 in Vero Beach. Son of Peter Sirianni, Sr, and Caroline (Zappa) Sirianni, he was born in Cumberland, WI in 1926. He graduated from Rice Lake High School before moving to Eau Claire in 1959.
Fred was a US Navy veteran of WWII serving with the Air Patrol Bombing Squadron #148 in the Pacific Theater. Upon his return from service, he joined the family business, a wholesale distributing company in Rice Lake, WI. In 1956, he became a stockbroker with the investment firm of Jameson and Co. which later became Piper Jaffray. He remained with Piper Jaffray until his retirement in 1990 having been named one of the Top 20 Brokers in the US. Fred became a partner in Piper Jaffray and then a Managing Director when the firm went public. He was a long time Board Member at Piper Jaffray and also at National Presto, Ind. Many additional posts were held by Fred including Trustee of the Presto Foundation, President of the Chippewa Valley Girl Scouts, Board Director of Luther Hospital, President of the University of WI-Eau Claire Foundation, Chair of the UW-Eau Claire Investment Committee, Advisory Board Member of Viterbo College, and board member of the Gifford FL Youth Activity Center.
He was a lifelong member of both the Elks and the Knights of Columbus, past member of Immaculate Conception Church in Eau Claire and current member of St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Vero Beach.
While Fred devoted his work life to his customers, nothing was more important to him than his family. He married his high school sweetheart, Jean Bergeron, in 1949. Together they raised 12 children; 6 sons and 6 daughters. (He always joked that he thought "family planning" was having 6 of each) He was extremely grateful for these past few years of life where he felt he was given the gift of getting to know each of his kids more individually. He is survived by his 12 children: Steve (Kitty) of Seattle, WA; Tony of West Palm Beach, FL; Janet (Steve) of Eau Claire; Mary of Minneapolis; Patty of Minneapolis; Jim (Melissa) of Madison; John (Julie) of Eau Claire; Kate (Yutaka) of Boynton Beach, FL; Carey (Al) of Minneapolis; David (Charlotte) of St. Paul; Fred, Jr., (Jane) of Everett, WA; and Susan (Ken) of Minneapolis. He is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Fred was preceded in death by his dear wife, his parents, 6 brothers, and 2 sisters. Fred cherished his morning breakfast group who met 5 days a week for over 20 years! Cliff Norris, Herb Conner, Bob Matthews, Jim Balph, Bill Moller and Mike Garavaglia, as well as many other great friends, some who have passed; our family sincerely thanks you for your love and friendship for our Dad.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Eau Claire, WI on February 20 at 11:00 am. Vero Beach arrangements are being handled by Cox-Gifford Funeral Home. Visitation will be at the Fuller-Speckien-Hulke Funeral Home in Eau Claire, WI on February 19 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the Vero Beach Habitat for Humanity, 4568 US Hwy 1, Vero Beach, FL 32967.
An online guestbook may be signed at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com