Obituary Paul J. Palmerio My sister, Dr. Antoinette Kruc, gave me the sad task of announcing the death, on April 4th, of her beloved husband Dr. Paul Palmerio, of cancer, at age 77. Toni asked that I inform extended family, close friends and all those who might have an interest in his passing. There will be visitation at D’Anjollel Memorial Home, 2811 W. Chester Pike, Broomall, PA 19008, on Friday April 10 from 7-9 PM and Saturday April 11th from 9-10:45 AM. A Funeral service will be held from 11-Noon. Family and friends are invited back brunch after the service at LaLaconda on W. Chester Pike. Paul’s involvement in the community, as the family doctor to thousands, is huge. I hope my message is shared where it can reach all those who care. Please forgive duplications. I had the good fortune to know Paul as a friend of the family, a big brother, (through marriage), doctor to me and my kids, friend and neighborhood hero. Paul attended St. Donato Grade School, St. Thomas More High School and St. Joseph University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Paul first met Toni in the early 1960’s. He was a pharmacy salesman, she a recent PCP&S, (now USIP), graduate working at Greene’s pharmacy on Baltimore. They developed a friendship that included lots of fun arguments whenever his beloved NY YANKEES were at bat. In 1963 Toni became a pharmacist at Riddle Memorial Hospital as Paul switched firms to join Bristol drugs. He once again found Toni on his sales route. Talks over lunch inspired them to apply for Med School. Toni felt well qualified, by her academic successes and pharmacy background, but faced the brick wall of gender prejudice. Paul was in the habit of defining himself as ‘just’ a former army and current sales person, from blue collar roots. Together they found the courage to apply to PCOM, a school that might take them both. They got in, and then the hard work began. They persevered through years of classes and excelled at training, all while working to support their families. The friendship grew during joint study sessions. After graduation, in 1977, there was a year of internships. The weekly study sessions segued to a weekly session of future planning and they realized they shared a common goal, to deliver general medicine to the neighborhoods in which they grew up (him in Overbrook and her in Spruce Hill). With the help of our sister, real estate broker Renee O’Donnell, and private financing from William Davis of the eponymous pharmacy, Toni and Paul were able to open Spruce Hill Medical in 1978. For several decades they gave quality care to patients as diverse as any population on the planet. With their pharmacy backgrounds they were often able to find free samples or low price drugs for their poorest patients, and as excellent diagnosticians they saved time, worry and lives across a huge swath of our neighborhood. When Spruce Hill Medical lost a Zoning battle, they continued their good work at KINGSESSING MEDICAL ASSOCIATES. I found Paul to be a thorough practitioner and thoughtful communicator. He granted me many favors for last minute appointments for Camp, Sports and School certificates for my kids and would occasionally help out some of the poorer kids on local teams, who would have been denied access to sports if an affordable (read free)exam and certificate could not be obtained. Paul was an athlete. He skied, for the Army, in the Italian Alps. He also played on a traveling Army baseball team. Paul had a special place in his heart for kids who played sports. Among his greatest joys was taking his granddaughter skiing and reveling in their Soccer successes. Paul collected sports memorabilia, and when his collection grew too large he and Toni ran a successful side business of selling the items. Paul was a life time traveler, even though most of his life was spent close to his West Philly roots. When he finished his Army stint in Vicenza, Italy, he remained in Europe for a full year, on the GI version of a grand tour. He and Toni traveled extensively through-out New England, the Rockies, our State Parks, Canada and Europe and especially loved Northern Italy. When asked how they had survived the last few years of illness and impending loss, Toni said that as Doctors, they “both knew Paul’s diagnosis was a death sentence”. They “expected 6-9 months and felt gifted to have had over 3 years”. Toni was happy that Paul was able to work until March 19, and that “he was able to enjoy life, laugh and smile every day”. She feels “grateful for every extra day with him”. Toni defines their marriage as exceptional and Paul as a loving, compassionate, disciplined friend, husband and father. Paul was grateful to be able to develop a career of work he loved. And to have grandchildren to bless his final years. Toni and Paul both enjoyed upward mobility and have faith in the possibilities of achieving the American Dream. Paul was born in Philadelphia, to the late Josephine (nee Capuzzi) and John Palmerio. He is survived by siblings Joseph Palmerio (Gioa), and sister, Cecelia Aronfreed (late Justin) and pre-deceased by brother John.
In addition to his beloved Toni, he leaves children Alexia and Marc (Rosemarie) and step-children Kathryn (Ray) and David and 3 grandchildren; twins, Caitlin and Madeline and John Paul, and a host of nieces and nephews and in-laws who adored him. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to any of : St. Thomas More Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 294, Drexel Hill, PA 19026 (Tommy More is closed but the scholarships benefit students through-out the AD), or Annunciation B.V.M. Sanctuary Society, 401 Brookline Blvd., Havertown, PA 19083 and /or more locally, St. Francis de Sales School, 925 S. 47th St, Phila, PA 19143. Here is a link to the Service information:http://www.danjolell.com/obituary/paul-j-palmerio-d-o/ Thank you for your patience and understanding.All the best! Liz Campion, Associate BrokerLicensed in PA & DE withBHHS Fox & Roach Realtors, LLC215-880-2930 CellPhotos at:www.PicasaWeb.Google.com/CampionEF ____________________________________________________________ Forget the iPhone 6 1 little-known Apple supplier holds wealth-changing growth potential. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/5525a2e0e0bd622e02594st03vuc
