Joseph Cesidio Palozzi

Joseph Cesidio Palozzi, born in Villavallelonga, Italy, on April 14, 1943, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband to his wife of 58 years, Doris Diehl Palozzi, with whom he built an incredible life and whom he cherished to the end. Beloved father to his three girls, Paola, Angelique (Hayden) and Francesca (Elliott); and proud grandfather to his five grandchildren who were such an absolute joy in his life, Spencer, Beckett, Cleo, Georgia and Sydney. Brother and best friend to Ed Palozzi and his wife, Carol; and uncle to Francesco, Lisa, Julia, Natalie, Christopher and Andrea. Arriving in Canada at just eight years old, Joseph knew the streets surrounding College and Ossington like the back of his hand. Delivering papers, and eventually prescriptions, for the local pharmacist, Joseph worked hard all of his life. Inspired by the profession, Joseph studied Pharmacy at the University of Toronto and built his business, opening the first of his five pharmacies in the 1970's on College Street, which he sold upon his retirement in 2010. An avid tennis player, runner and scopa player, Joseph had many hidden talents, and if you were lucky enough to be there, he would pull out his accordion and impress all with his musical prowess. A runner through the '90s, we would often hear that his running group, who met like religion at the Columbus Centre at 5 a.m. every Friday, would at times be scolded for their illicit banter as they jogged past the many homes in Lawrence Park. May we apologize on his behalf. He spent some of his best years travelling with our mother and dear friends through Italy. These were most certainly some of his absolute favourite adventures. They would regale us with the mischievous stories of what their "summer camp crew" got up to. After purchasing their precious home in Mulmur, he found such joy with our mother and loved the balance of doing some honest hard work first thing in the morning and enjoying the beer he earned later that day. It was in Mulmur that he found his oasis, "a tennis court in a field." He slipped a note through the door of the small clubhouse asking if anyone would like to play. Here, he met some of his closest friends, an unexpected group of avid tennis players, and together they formed the "Sunday Group" that was as sacred as church. Those friendships clicked instantly and became such a source of comradery in his life. Joseph treasured his children and grandchildren, and believed they could accomplish anything. He serenaded them on every birthday and encouraged them to take risks. He taught them to drive the gator, to hit a tennis ball, to cure a cold and to know that he would always catch them if they fell. Dad, we will miss you more than we can say. We'll do the catching now so you can rest. Joseph will be missed immeasurably and remembered always with love.