Rocco "Rocky" Palmer

1919 - 2018

Rocco Palmer, age 99, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2018, at his Madeira Beach, Fl. home with his devoted daughter, Melissa, by his side. Rocco was born January 16, 1919 in New York City and grew up in Schenectady, NY. He was the son of the late Rocco and Amelia Palmieri, and the youngest of seven children, all deceased. Rocco is survived by his daughter, Melissa Falkenberg, of Schenectady, NY; three granddaughters, Amanda, Lindsay, and Holly Falkenberg; four great children, Bella, Brennen, Treston and Tegan, all of Schenectady, NY, as well several nieces and nephews, including his "right hand man" nephew Ron Palmer. Rocco, known to many as Rocky, was a veteran during World War II. He lived his life to the fullest and was a man of few words who demonstrated his care and love to his family and friends through his actions and many generous deeds. He was a visionary and risk taker, with a good business sense and eye for interior design. Rocco was a successful entrepreneur and owned and operated some of the most popular night clubs in Schenectady beginning in the 40s and 50s, including the RocMar and the Castle Club, the Gourmet, the Pompeii Room, and most recently, the RJ Ritz Terrace. The clubs were entertainment hotspots and host to variety of local and NYC musicians, among them jazz pianist Teddy Wilson, The Haywoods, and Mickey Folus and his Orchestra . Rocky spoke fondly of his club years, calling the RocMar, "The best club in the city!" In speaking of the gourmet "It was a beautiful club, I made a lot of money there, I ran a very strict club. There was a dress code, big bands, groups from New York City. I had Rita Moreno, the Johnny Hamlin Quintet, the Esquires - they were famous - and Bill Haley and the Comets. They were just starting out." Rocco was also a past president of Tavern Owners Association. Rocco's sense of adventure was not limited to the world of entrepreneurship. He was an excellent swimmer and passionate about water skiing. From the Gazette," I was a swimmer all the time," he said of his youth, "I was born in the water. I swam in the Mohawk when I was seven years old. Then I went to the YMCA." Rocco eventually began skiing and parasailing and was a common sight on the area lakes and waterways, including the Mohawk at Jumping Jacks. During August of 1966, Palmer wowed the people of the Sacandaga Reservior by climbing into a parasail harness behind a 200- horsepower outboard and flying more than 150 feet in the air!Rocco will be truly missed by all who were close to him, and especially by his daughter, Melissa, who feels blessed for every moment she had with her father, and the life lessons he shared with her. Please join Rocky's family for a Celebration of his life on Sunday June 3, 2018 from 4-6 pm at Mallozzis on Curry Rd. Schenectady NY.

View the online memorial for Rocco "Rocky"  Palmer