Fisina Tomaselli, a devoted daughter of the Roman Catholic faith and unwavering pillar of her family, peacefully entered eternal life on Feb. 8, her heart filled with the love of Christ and cherished memories of those she held dear.
Fisina Tomaselli
Fiz as she was known, was born in New Canaan, attended New Canaan schools and was a 1949 graduate of New Canaan High School. While at New Canaan High School she played varsity sports and was captain of the girls’ basketball team (she was not the center).
Her dedication to St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan was one of great love and commitment to the parish. She was deeply involved in parish life from her youth to her adulthood. She served as the volunteer bookkeeper for decades. She served on the financial committee and various boards (too numerous to mention) and was a room mother for each of her five children at the St. A’s school. She was the first woman to serve on the Parish Council Board. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America since 1953. Her faith included daily worship at the 7am mass and her life was centered around St. Aloysius and its ministries.
Beyond the church, Fiz’s commitment to the New Canaan community was extraordinary. In 1972, she “adopted” the New Canaan High School Hockey Team, hosting lasagna and pizza dinners for years for the players, coaches and managers. Along with her husband Larry she founded the Annual New Canaan High School alumni Ice Hockey game which became a major fundraiser for JV hockey program. She also served on the Parent Faculty Board of NCHS and the Sports Council Board, as well as the Hall of Fame Committee. She was inducted into the NCHS Hall of Fame in 2000. She volunteered in the Guidance Department and the Athletic Department.
Her other volunteering included: Serving on the New Canaan Library Board, the New Canaan Historical Society, and the Schoolhouse Apartment Board. From its inception, Fiz also volunteered at the Waveny Care Center every Tuesday morning, taking on a variety of responsibilities.
Fiz had a love for reading and vacationing at her beloved Cape Cod and watching sports with a particular interest in ice hockey and the New York Yankees.
Her name carried a story close to her heart. Her mother, Antonia, wished to name her Norina, while her father, Dominic, wanted to honor his mother, Crocifissa. By combining “Fis” from Crocifissa and “Ina” from Norina, they created the name Fisina.
Family meant everything to Fiz. She worked hand in hand with her husband Larry in running their successful accounting business. She delighted in being surrounded by loved ones and especially cherished hosting holiday celebrations and family reunions.
Fisina is predeceased by her husband Lawrence Tomaselli and her eldest son, Lawrence Anthony Tomaselli. She is also predeceased by her sister Marie DiBarnaba and her brother Tony Malizia. Her surviving siblings are Violet Ruscoe and Josephine Krone (Al). She is survived by her children: Laura (Kent) Siladi; James (Sandra) Tomaselli: Maria Tomaselli and Matt Tomaselli. She is also survived by daughter-in-law Anne Tomaselli, and six grandchildren: Susan, Laura and Michelle, MaryAnn and Katrina and James. She is also survived by 8 great grandchildren.
Calling hours will be held at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St. New Canaan on March 6, 2026 from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm. A memorial Mass will be held on March 7th, 11:00 am at St. Aloysius Church, 21 Cherry Street, New Canaan. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in her name can be made to St. Aloysius Church for its youth ministry and Waveny Care Center.
Mrs. Tomaselli was the one of kindest, most encouraging and nurturing people I have ever run across in my life. I was fortunate enough to be hosted at many of this pizza and lasagna hockey parties as a player from 1976-80 and then again as the coach from 1986-1994!! Not mentioned was that every rookie to the Varsity hockey team had to sing whether a player or a coach!! I’ll never forget singing the theme to Gilligans Island with my Asst Coach and friend Criag Koehler. The Hutchinson’s and the Tomaselli’s went way back with my older brother Rob playing with Larry Jr. and brother David playing with Jimmy on the 1972 NCHS state championship ice hockey team (to date the only one). What a great women and great family of New Canaan.
My deepest condolences for a truly wonderful lady 🙏
Condolences to the entire Tomaselli family from all the Francos. Hall of Fame room mother at St. Aloysius School, energetic St. A’s parishioner, supporter of everything New Canaan. Faithful and kind, even her name was fun. Rest in Peace Mrs. Tomaselli.
RIP to Fiz and your Father
A truly dedicated woman to her faith and community. RIP Fiz.
Well aunt fiz you are up there wyith most of the family. You were one of the greatest people in my life. We will miss you always and forever. May god help you on your journey. Til we all meet again.
Love Marybeth.
To everyone who knew and loved Aunt Fizz. Once you met her you knew she was an incredible soul. Her faith was beautiful. I’m sure that at the moment of her passing, our loving lord welcomed her into his arms and whispered to her well done my faithful servant. She definitely served the lord well.
I will still pray for her soul as I’m sure she’s praying for all of us!
Welcome home Aunt Fizz
Love and miss you.
To all my cousins : I am so sorry on the passing of Your beautiful mother. She’s in heaven without a doubt. See you all soon
My heartfelt condolences to all the Family and Friends of Fizz Tomaselli. We will all miss that wonderful smile, care for people around her, the years of community involvement to make our town a better place. Most of all, I will remember her as the loving matriarch of the Tomaselli family.