Obituary of John B. Palumbo

John Baptiste Palumbo "Loving Husband, Father & Grandfather" Olean, NY-- John Baptiste Palumbo of E. Forest Avenue died Friday (March 5, 2004) after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born April 10, 1921 in Olean, NY he was the son of Raffaelo and Rose D’Attilo Palumbo. On September 3, 1949 at St. John’s Church, Olean he married Elizabeth "Betty" !McGinnity who survives. Mr. Palumbo was a 1939 graduate of Olean High School and of Alfred University in 1948. He entered the service on December 11, 1939 and served with the 174th Infantry Division in Central Europe and Rhineland. He was the recipient of the American Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged on October 6, 1945. He retired as Chief Draftsman of Acme Electric Corp. in Cuba, NY in 1983 after 35 years of service. He was a member of St. John’s Roman Catholic Church and served as an officer for St. John’s Home School Association. He also was a former member of Archbishop Walsh Parents Club and was a founding member of the Walsh Foundation. Mr. Palumbo enjoyed listening to Lawrence Welk, Big Band music, St. Bonaventure University basketball, Buffalo Bills football and the New York Yankees. He was an avid supporter of his son’s and grandchildren’s sporting events. Surviving besides his wife are three sons Daniel (Mary Lou) Palumbo, Thomas (Judy) Palumbo and James "Jason" (Mary Ann) Palumbo, all of Olean; four daughters Kathleen (Stephen) Pachla, Suzanne Palumbo, Mary E. Palumbo, all of Olean and Ann (John) Buyea of Rochester, NY; 12 grandchildren Carolyn (Sean) Crosson, Courtney (Thomas) Mason, Colleen (Matthew) Smith, Daniel S. Palumbo, Matthew Pachla, Michael Palumbo, Brian Palumbo, John Palumbo, Gina Palumbo, Nicholas Palumbo, Joseph Palumbo and Ethan Buyea.; 3 great granddaughters Isabelle Crosson, Madeleine Mason and Sydney Smith; a sister Frances M. Palumbo of Olean and his mother-in-law Gertrude !McGinnity of Olean. He was predeceased by one sister and brother-in-law Anna and Charles Geary. Friends will be received at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home 3128 W. State Rd. Olean on Sunday from 2-4 & 7-9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday (March 8, 2004) at noon at St. John’s Church in Olean. Msgr. William Wangler, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Walsh Foundation, 208 N. 24th St. Olean, NY or !HomeCare and Hospice 1225 W. State St. Olean, NY.