Palumbo, Dominic J. "Russ"

Greece: September 6, 2013. Predeceased by his wife, Mary H. Palumbo; brothers Andrew, Victor, Anthony, John & Louis Palumbo; sisters, Santina DeMatteo, Mary Schifano & Pauline Carmestro. Survived by his children, Donald Palumbo, Linda Valenti, Richard & Patricia Palumbo, John Hauser; grandchildren, Mark, Mia & Matt Valenti, Cara (Matt Schrantz), Adriann & Cal Palumbo; sister, Betty Hendry; brother-in-law Anthony DiGiovanni & his family; many nieces & nephews including the Taccone & DeMatteo families; longtime friends, Gene & Mary Marron, Rocky & Rachel, the LePore family & his extended family at the LDR Char Pit in Charlotte, NY, including Steve & Louie. He began his work career at the age of six selling newspapers on the beach in Charlotte, later served in the Civilian Conservation Corps & was a WWII veteran. Upon returning home from the war, he and his brothers established a restaurant in Charlotte, now known as the LDR Char Pit. Russ retired from the restaurant business in 2011, at the age of 92. Russ greatly appreciated the many employees and customers he came to know at LDR over the years. A heartfelt thank you to Russ's compassionate caregivers at Emeritus at Westside Manor, Unity Hospital & Hildebrandt Hospice.

Russ's family plans to hold a memorial gathering, to be announced at a later date. Please visit the funeral home's website at www.aliferemembered.com for more information. Donations may be sent to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at www.macular.org in Russ's memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Rochester Democrat And Chronicle on Sep. 11, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Dominic Palumbo

26 Entries

Basil, Jr. Marasco

September 21, 2013

There were lots of good times, and lots of "grounds" and hots at the Char Pit. If he wasn't too busy, Russ would chat with his customers and make them feel glad to be there.

Uncle Russ and my Mom (Betty). I will sure miss him.

Debi Smith (Hendry)

September 19, 2013

Mark Marron

September 18, 2013

All of our prayers to the Palumbo family. Your father was a great man and a great example to us all. He has been a part of all of our childhoods and will remain a loving part of our memories of growing up in Charlotte, especially the LDR Charpit. God bless you, Russ! Thank you for all that you did for us!

John Marron

September 18, 2013

Dear Family,
Russ and Mary were the heart and soul of Charlotte for over half a century. I moved to Florida in 1989 and whenever I would return, the first stop right off the plane was the LDR Charpit: 2 cheeseburgers on hard rolls,house cut French fries and a large 16 ounce glass bottle of Coke. The Palumbos were generous to me and my family and to many others in the Charlotte community. Russ had a smile that would light up the room; no more so than when his baby granddaughter Cara would come to the Stand( as he called the Charpit). Russ was one the ready with a black olive for Cara. So many characters at the Stand over the years: Meetz and Trudy, Shoey, Sully, Dennis behind the grill, Burt, Murphy, Tic and Mary....I'd like to think that right now, after a dinner of beef tenderloin Russ is sipping a VO manhattan on the rocks playing acey ducey with Mary, Uncle Tony , Mary and Tic, Meetz Trudy and Gary on Moxon Drive in the sky. Or maybe they're at the shore....

Eddie Gartz

September 16, 2013

From the Hot Dog coming off the Grill to the Steak Sandwich sizzling away Russ Palumbo was the King of great food in Charlotte, New York. Even though my hot dog with a toasted hard roll doesn't hit most peoples top 2 favorite meals it's mine and I'm grateful to Russ for everyone I ever ate. Russ had a great business. His life has never been defined by his hot's, hot sauce or food. Russ gave to Rochester a great destination to relax and have fun. Russ found his life revolving around having a great wonderful family we have all come to love and living a life that gave to the community more than he ever received in return. If each one of us could have as many friends as Russ, add as many smiles to the face's of people he served,the world would be an even better place. Russ left his mark and left all who knew him many hours of forgetting our troubles when we visited LDR's.... Russ will be missed but what he created will continue to serve Rochester and that's a great mark in the world of business creation. A special thank you to the family for sharing him with all of us. Eddie Gartz

Carol and Mike Marron

September 15, 2013

Mike and I just savored every memorial message...our faces are stained with tears and our hearts ache as we remember all our family memories of the char pit. There will never be a better steak sandwich...but most of all we will miss the smiles that were always there to welcome us...we miss you Russ, Mary, Rick and Patty...what a loving family that made a difference in Charlotte

Robert Quinn

September 15, 2013

My sister Elaine and I would like to offer our condolences to the Palumbo Family. I and most of my classmates at Holy Cross started our working life at the "Drive In"in the 1950's. Russ was a patient boss and a great freind to all of us.
Bobby & Elaine Quinn

Nadja French

September 13, 2013

Rick and Patty, my deepest condolences to you and your family. Its always hard to lose a loved one and your dad was an icon in the Charlotte community. RIP

Deb Christmas

September 12, 2013

My condolences to the Palumbo family- Russ was a great man and will be missed by all- LDR will never be the same..Russ is truly a "Charlotte icon"

Joyce Honan-Kossick

September 12, 2013

Dear Linda, Don , Rick and your families,
I am sorry to hear of your father's passing, he was The Mayor of Charlotte---I have many fond memories of the years working with all of you, your mom and dad were the best, always taking care of all the young employees, teaching the ropes of working the counter, dealing with the public, kind loving family, I will always be proud to say ,I worked at the LDR Char-Pit. My prayers and thoughts are with you all, love, Joyce Honan Kossick

Michael Poggi

September 12, 2013

Russ was and always will be a Charlotte Icon. Those of us who were fortunate enough to know him loved him and respected him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family (L.D.R.)

Joyce Honan -Kossick

September 12, 2013

Dear Linda,Donald, Rick and your families,
I am sorry to hear of your father's passing. I have many fond memories of the years of working at the LDR . Your mom and dad were the best, taking care of all of us, high school kids that worked our summers behind the counters , serving the public-- seeing your dad with that wide grin and hands on his hips will always be the way I 'll. remember him, My prayers and thoughts are with you --

Richard Rzepka

September 12, 2013

Dear Patty, Rick and Family,
Please accept Lorri and my condolences on Russ's passing. I have many pleasant memories of Russ and the Char Pit going back to the 60's. I'll miss him and the restaurant.

Andrea Marion

September 12, 2013

Going down to the LDR with my mother and grandmother Mary was one of my favorite things to do when I was home from Florida on vacation. Uncle Russ, you will be missed.

Carly Rose DiGiovanni

September 12, 2013

Many fond memories of Uncle Russ -- so sorry for your loss. Thinking of all of you.
With love,
Cousin Carly

Mindy Shaffer

September 12, 2013

Iconic is a great word for Mr Palumbo and the LDR Char Pit. We had many a terrific meal there. His pride of his community shown by the pictures on the walls that chronicle Charlotte for the last century is heartwarming. God bless the family that he has left behind. May his legacy uplift you through this sad time.

Jim Verhey

September 11, 2013

Linda, Rick and Donald, I'm so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Your folks were a part of growing up in Rochester that I will never forget. To this day, every time I visit, my first stop is ALWAYS The Char Pit. Seeing your folks was a touchstone for so many years. Russ will be missed, that's for certain. My deepest and heartfelt condolences to you all. Sincerely, Jim Verhey

Rosemary Di Giovanni

September 11, 2013

Dear Cousins,

I have so many fond memories of spending time as a young girl visiting your home in Rochester and going to "The Pit" to see my Uncle run the show. I felt so important that my Uncle Russ and Aunt Marie owned such a busy and well loved restaurant! I remember your Dad/Grandpop letting me be a "waitress" for a day too! Also, our Summers every year at the Jersey shore are some of my most cherished memories. Your Dad always put a little $ in my pocket for ice cream! He certainly was a hard worker all his life. May he rest in eternal peace.

Love,

Cousin Rosemary

RITA FANCHER

September 11, 2013

Don Rick and Linda
I'm truly sorry for your loss. Our loss. Your family has been a staple of Charlotte, from my Charlotte family our prayers are with you.

Meg Brown

September 11, 2013

Russ was one of the reasons we had plenty of breakfast meals at LDR. He was a nice man. Our condolences to his family. - Rob and Meg Brown

Patty Sanders(Ceravolo)

September 11, 2013

Rick,linda,don,and Palumbo family,your dad gave me my first job like many other kids in Charlotte and Greece. His work ethic helped shape me for all the jobs through out my life.He helped shape Charlotte into what it was. He loved the neighborhood and it's history which was evident from the many photos displayed in hic restarant.He always lent a helping hand to anyone who needed it.He was always larger than life, and we in the neighborhood will never forget him and his many kindnesses.Whenever i think of "the pit", i will always think of Russ. Rest in peace Russ,your life was well lived.

Vicki Laskoski-Domhoff

September 11, 2013

Thoughts and prayers are with The Palumbo family. I worked for many years for The Palumbo's and both LDR and Char Broil were always the best!

Meg (Smith) Orlando

September 11, 2013

Russ was my first boss when I was just a teenager. He created a "home away from home" for many regulars, employees and friends at the LDR. I will remember him fondly always. He was a hardworking family man, and a Charlotte icon. My condolences to the family.

Suzanne Kilpatrick

September 11, 2013

I was just a little girl when I starting going to LDR with my mom, Rae & Rocky, I remember seeing Russ, he was always so nice to me. He helped make LDR what it is, my favorite diner always and forever!!! Rest in peace Russ and God Bless

Nancy Forman Eaton

September 11, 2013

Dear Palumbo family:
I am so saddened to hear of Russ' passing. He was my first "boss" and a great human being. He has left a great legacy and will live in our hearts forever.
With deepest sympathy,

Jeff Walter

September 10, 2013

Ricky, Patty and the Palumbo family,
I am deeply saddened by the news of your father. I am so sorry to hear this. Russ to me was an icon in Charlotte. A wonderful man and boss to me when I worked there in the 70's and a friend. I always felt that he would be around forever and never thought of this day ever arriving. He has meant so much to so many people in the Charlotte area for so many years. I have fond memories that will never be forgotten and his legacy will forever live on. Rick, Linda and Don...I hope that all the memories of your Dad help ease the pain during this time of grieving. Thanks Russ for everything you have meant to all of the LDR family...RIP.. :(

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