Date: Fri 19-Jan-1996

Christopher Fiorilla Loses His Battle With Disease

Christopher Daniel Fiorilla, the Newtown toddler who was diagnosed last year with a rare degenerative brain disorder, died peacefully at his home in Newtown on Wednesday with his parents at his side.

Christopher, 2½, was the only child of Todd J. and Denise Del Vecchio Fiorilla of Parmalee Hill Road. His battle with metrachromatic leukodystrophy was widely known and had prompted fund-raising events to help pay his medical expenses and to promote research into genetic brain diseases in children.

He was born in Danbury Hospital on July 14, 1993.

Besides his parents, he is survived by his maternal grandparents, Daniel and Carol Del Vecchio of Newtown, and by many aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased last July by his paternal grandmother, Mildred M. Fiorilla, who lived with Christopher and his family.

Calling hours: Thursday, January 18, from 6 to 9 pm at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown. Services will be held at 10 am Friday, January 19, from the funeral home to St Rose of Lima Church where a Mass of the Angels will be celebrated at 10:30 am. Burial will take place in Newtown Village Cemetery in the spring.

Memorial contributions in may be made to the United Leukodystrophy Foundation, 2304 Highland Drive, Sycamore IL 60178-9970 or to the Christopher Fiorilla Fund, c/o Shawmut Bank, 6 Queen Street, Newtown 06470.