GIRL DAD: ANTHONY FIORE
You may recognize his name as the Moderator for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Community Facebook page, or his face as a volunteer at many local events, but for Anthony Fiore, “girl dad” is the role he’s most proud of.
A father to two daughters, Kayla (19), and Kenzie (15), Anthony describes his parenting style as “supportive and easygoing,” with a focus on raising strong, independent women. “I try to guide them more than anything, especially now that they’re older,” he says, admitting that as a natural problem-solver, he’s learned to step back and listen. His personal Facebook page is filled with pictures of his daughters, shared moments centered around their individual passions. From this vantage point, “supportive” is certainly an accurate description!
Kayla is a sophomore at Ithaca College studying theater directing, a calling she shares with her mother Amy. But performance is woven into the fabric of the Fiore family. At home, it’s not unusual for conversations to revolve around productions, concerts, or even the occasional horror movie—something Anthony and Kayla especially enjoy together.
Kenzie, on the other hand, brings a different kind of energy. A dedicated competitive cheerleader, she’s found not just a sport, but a sense of belonging. It’s a passion Anthony fully supports, cheering her on from the sidelines, whether those are located at the nearby high school, or in Orlando Florida where they just attended a 4-day competition. Being a girl dad has taught Anthony patience and how to fully live in the moment. “I love the traditions we’ve created, like going to Opening Day to cheer on the Mets and going to Rehoboth Beach every summer.
When I ask about misconceptions around raising daughters, Anthony is quick to push back on outdated stereotypes. “It’s not about being overprotective,” he says. “It’s about being present and helping them become confident in who they are.” From the very beginning Anthony was a constant presence in their lives doing school drop offs and pick-ups, coaching their sports teams - just wanting to be around them. “I want them to know I am their biggest champion,” he says.
“What else?” I ask.
"I want my girls to know that my love for them is unconditional. I take great pride in being a small part of who they are as individuals and in the people they are becoming. I love to celebrate their successes, but I am even more inspired by how they handle their failures, learn from them, and try to turn them into something positive. Being their father is the greatest accomplishment of my life, and my wish for them is that they always feel supported, valued, and confident in themselves."
Girl Dad: Michael Abadir
For Michael Abadir, being a “girl dad” is rooted in something simple, yet profound: making sure his children always know how deeply they are loved.
A longtime teacher in the community, Michael is a father of four—son (Justin) and three daughters, Grace, Claire, and Brooke. While each daughter brings her own personality and energy to the family, his approach to parenting remains consistent. “At the end of the day, I want them to feel safe and secure, valued, and confident in who they are,” he shares. Alongside that foundation of love, he emphasizes independence—teaching his children not just what to think, but how to navigate life on their own.
Michael’s career in education was purposefully chosen as a means of being present for his family and has uniquely shaped his role as a father. “I want to see them every day; to be a big part of their lives. Teaching affords me that”. Being a teacher in the same town where they all live has allowed him to be highly involved—coaching their soccer teams, picking them up from school, supporting their variety shows and science fairs. He sees their friends, both in the classroom and in their home. He has even been the chemistry teacher for each of his kids during high school, a decision each of them made on their own when given a choice.
At home, connection is everything. Michael and his wife, Juliette, are mindful of the relationship they have with one another, and each of their four children. They have made it a priority to spend one-on-one time with each child, whether it’s walking the dog together, running a quick errand or grabbing an ice cream cone. Michael looks forward to these moments, especially as his daughters have gotten older. The closeness they share is evident as he describes each of his daughters:
“Clare is empathetic and makes everyone around her feel good”; If you need a job done, Brooke is the one who can get it done.” “Grace is a wonderful big sister; A great listener, always taking notes. She’s spunky!” he says with a huge smile.
Faith and kindness are central to the Abadir household. “Love God and love people,” Michael says—two principles that guide not only how they parent, but how their children move through the world. Three of the four kids have chosen to attend Liberty University in Lynchburg Virginia - together. Siblings that are this close are a testament to those principles.
One of his most meaningful traditions is a journal he keeps for each child, filled with notes, memories, and photos over the years, starting from when they were each seven years old. It’s a time capsule of the little things, and the big things and all the things in between. They write him back too - a living breathing story of their lives together.
And while Michael may be a teacher, the girls have taught him a thing or two. “Being their dad,” he says, “has taught me patience and perspective. I’ve learned to pause, look beyond the surface and get to the heart of the matter”.
“What else?” I ask. “I hope they know how much I love them. That they are a priceless treasure and I am so proud of them. I enjoy every opportunity I get to talk to them. And I am so thankful to see how they have grown into the young women they’ve become”.
Girl Dad: Pat Russoniello
Growing up one of four boys, Pat Russoniello thought raising daughters was going to be completely foreign to him. But he had a great role model in his father in law, Thomas “Tommy G” Gordon. He saw the relationship his wife Heather had with her dad. “They were inseparable," he says. “That’s the kind of relationship I want with my girls.”
So where do you begin? As the proud father to daughter Brianna (14) and Olivia (11) Pat is bubbling over with all the ways he shows the unconditional love he feels for his daughters. “I give them all of my love and support - no matter what. I will always protect them. I help them pursue all of their interests because I want them to take advantage of all life has to offer. I strive to be a positive in their lives - encouraging them to be the best people. Be happy! Love and live life to the fullest!” Oh is that all? I say laughing.
One thing is for sure - being a girl dad has changed Pat. He describes a loving but conservative upbringing where there was a right way and a wrong way to do things. Having daughters has changed his perspective on life. He wants them both to take risks - to not be afraid. Through them he has become more connected to his feelings and shows off a softer side. I wonder if he realizes that it is the support he provides that allows them to feel safe in taking those risks. That it is the softness he shows that feeds their strength.
Pat is the girls biggest champion. Whether it's cheering for Bri at her field hockey or flag football game or rooting for Liv at her baseball game - he is the dad that can’t sit down when his girls are competing. He is a visible support - perhaps too visible sometimes according to Heather. But he doesn’t care - he wants his girls to know he has their back.
Pat and his girls share a love of music. Bri is fully on board with his musical tastes - Red Hot Chili Peppers, 21 Pilots, Pearl Jam. Whereas Liv has brought Pat over to her side - even getting him to a PInk concert and Megan Maloney. An occasional dance party in the kitchen to oldies has been known to happen.
Perhaps the thing that has taken him the furthest from his comfort zone - choreographed TikTok dances and countless selfies with filters. “I just want to be a part of their world,” he says.
Oh yeah - what else? “My daughters are my why in the truest sense. Raising them and watching the good people they've become has been the greatest privilege of my life. I’m incredibly proud of who they are and how they carry themselves. Watching them grow up, find their own path, and succeed in their own way means more to me than anything else I could accomplish”.