Delaware County has lost one of its biggest advocates.

Tore Fiore, the Executive Director of Destination Delco, the county’s tourism bureau, died Thursday, April 5 at the age of 67.

For the past 14 years, Fiore, a Media resident, worked tirelessly to extol the many virtues of Delaware County. During his tenure, he led a successful rebranding of the tourism bureau – originally called The Brandywine Conference & Visitors Bureau – as it transitioned from its base in Chadds Ford to its current home in the restored Rose Tree Tavern in Rose Tree Park.

Under Fiore’s leadership, Delaware County’s hotel occupancy routinely trailed only Philadelphia’s in the five-county region of southeastern Pennsylvania. And many new hotels opened, from the Delaware Riverside to Central Delco and the Brandywine. In fact, a Fairfield Inn by Marriott will soon open in Broomall, as will a Holiday Inn & Suites at the Drexelbrook Catering & Special Event Center.

During his years at the bureau’s helm, Fiore also held many positions and was actively involved in many organizations that impacted the success of tourism throughout the region. He was:

• Chairman of Philadelphia & The Countryside
• A member of the Government Affairs Committee for the Pennsylvania Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus
• A member of the Public Relations Committee for the Pennsylvania Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus
• Managing Director for Track Pack PA
• Executive Producer for Riverfront Ramble
• Executive Producer for Walk for the Wounded & Warriors 5K Run
• A member of the Executive Committee for Forever Independent

“Tore was at the top of his game as a marketing innovator and visionary,” said Marty Milligan, Destination Delco’s Vice President of Business Development. “I loved coming to work every day because he made it fun, and the results were always rewarding.”

“If you could design the perfect boss, Tore would be it,” said Barbara Lehman, Destination Delco’s Director of Communications. “He loved Delaware County, and he loved to laugh. He brought out the best in his team and greeted everyone he met with ‘What can I do for you?’

“He was both a man of action and ideas, always looking outside the box, as well as in it, over it, and under it. He saw each day as a fresh opportunity to further promote Delco’s attractions, hotels, and history.”

Born in 1951, Fiore was a graduate of Sharon Hill High School, and attended West Chester University, where he studied business and speech communications.

Fiore, who was a regular guest on Comcast Newsmakers, previously worked in radio, television, and event planning. In 2016, the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce honored him with its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award.

Fiore is survived by Corinne Kassab Fiore, his wife of 33 years. His viewing is Wednesday, April 11 from 6-9 PM, and his funeral is Thursday, April 12 at 9 AM. Both services will be held at Cavanagh Funeral Home in Media.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Operation First Response, 20037 Dove Hill Road, Culpeper, VA 22701.

Click here to watch a heartwarming tribute to Tore Fiore on Destination Delco’s Facebook page.