It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Biagio John Palumbo (Sonny), 92, of Mendon, who died peacefully following a brief illness at Milford Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
He is survived by: His sweetheart, Barbara (Somerby) Palumbo of Mendon; his sister, Gloria Marino of Franklin; his daughters Christina Dias and her husband Joao of Mendon, and Leslie LaFlamme and her husband John of Mendon; His grandchildren Ashley Grover and her husband Jay of Mendon, Alexis Hiser and her husband Kyle of Douglas, and John Dias, Jr. and Aery Kang, his beloved partner of Mendon; and his great grandchildren, Tommy, Milo, Quinn and Wyatt.
He was predeceased by: His parents, Biagio and Giulia Palumbo (Rofino); his sisters, Georgette Chiccarelli of Milford, Anne Manella of Milford and Frances Pratt of Milford; and his brother Albert Palumbo of Franklin.
Born in Franklin, June 24, 1933, a true patriot of the United States, John served his country in the US Army and stood tall as a proud Korean War veteran attaining the rank of Private First Class. In his young adult life, John was passionate about training thoroughbred horses, running his business and married his lifelong sweetheart whom he spent 59 incredible years with. Sonny, as his family and friends called him, would spend his spring, summer, and fall days outside cutting the grass, working on his vegetable garden or tending to his pool along with his wife “Bobbi” as he so lovingly called her.
John was always in the mood for a rugged debate about nearly any topic you could think of, with a glass of wine in one hand and a fine cheese in the other. He was famous for his Italian cuisine – gnocchis, meatballs and Italian soup were a few of his specialties. A very strong-willed man, only 10 years ago John was up on the roof repairing shingles and carrying tables on his back just so he didn’t have to ask for help. A funny man, a man full of passion and a man full of life until the very end.
We will miss his laughs and tight squeeze hugs, and the way his hands pinched our cheeks just before he rubbed his overdue for a shave scruff up against them. We will miss the way he adored his wife, always talking about seeing his sweetheart and ignoring most things around him just to talk with her.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, October 29 from 9:00-10:45 a.m. in the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin (ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street, Franklin.
His funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, October 29 in St. Mary’s Church Franklin at 11:00 a.m.
Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to St Jude.