Calogero “Charlie” Palermo, from Medford, died peacefully on August 31 surrounded by his loving family. Charlie was born and raised in Sicily, Italy and came to America in 1963 to live out the American dream and make a home for his loving family. He lived in the North End of Boston for many years before making Medford his permanent home.
Charlie was a master mason for over 60 years and never gave up his passion. At the age of 80, he rebuilt his stone steps in the front of his house placing a heart shaped stone in the center of his castle steps. Gardening was his favorite pastime, growing his vegetables and showing them off to all who visited. Whenever you were looking for him, we were sure to find him tending to his garden.
Charlie’s family was the most important thing in his life and the love he showed was beyond words. He especially loved having the entire family surround his dinner table and tell everyone to eat up “Mangia”. Everyone who met Charlie during his 91 years will never forget him. His strength, talent, humor, but most of all his loving and welcoming personality.
Charlie was the cherished son of the late Arcangelo and Caterina (Vizzi) Palermo. He was the beloved husband of 64 years to Adelina (Turco) Palermo. He was the devoted father of Catherine Russo, and her husband Robert of Medford, Josephine Taylor-Raneri, and her husband Joseph of Tewksbury, and the late Lisa Petrone and her late husband Ronald. He was the loving grandfather of Renee Paralle and husband Dan, Erica Russo and fiancé Tony, Michael Taylor and wife Colleen, Justin Russo and wife Heather, Sean Taylor, Krista Petrone, Nicholas Petrone, and Anthony Petrone, and the great-grandfather of Arianna, Tony, Charlie, Sophia, Adelina, and Valkyrie Rose. Charlie leaves behind many loving family members both here and in Italy.
Charlie’s funeral will be held from the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main St., Medford on Saturday, September 9th at 9 AM followed by a funeral mass celebrated in at Immaculate Conception Church, 600 Pleasant Street, Malden at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, September 8th from 4 through 8 PM. Services will conclude with burial at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.