Brooklyn, New York
Earnest and in Dissent
"It was hard to dislike Frank, but he sure could get on your nerves," chuckled his brother-in- law, Michael Courtien. "He was always trying to do the right thing. But he was no diplomat."
An example, perhaps burnished by memory: union delegates are about to vote on a proposal, considered a done deal. Predictably, Firefighter Frank Palombo's hand shoots up. Unpredictably, he announces his support. Buzz, buzz. The proposal fails: If Frank says yes, let's rethink, because disagreement is normal for Frank.
There was no arrow straighter than Mr. Palombo, 46, of Ladder Company 105 in Brooklyn. His moral outlook was shaped by studying for the priesthood; his degree in philosophy; the Roman Catholic prayer group with whom he worshiped twice a week; his wife, Jean, and their eight sons and two daughters, ages 1 to 15. Mrs. Palombo would look down the dinner table and catch him weeping. "I'm so fortunate to have all these children," he would say.
Mr. Palombo, who joined the department in 1979, believed God would provide. Since his death, Brooklyn neighbors who never said hello stop by and towns in far-away states send gifts. The family is well, reports Mr. Courtien. They believe that God is providing and that good is flowing from the tragedy. As a point of view it was quite Frank-like.
Gran hermano de comunidad y excelente responsable. Le gustaba hacer las barbacoas en la convivencia de mes. Descansen en paz. Jean murió 8 años más tarde de cáncer.
Luis Alberto ORDEJÓN CASADO
September 12, 2020 | Bronx, NY | Friend
Que era un gran responsable de Comunidad. Yo era presbitero de la suya en San Colomba. Excelente.persona y muy cristiano. Le encantaba hacer barbacoas para la comunidad en las convivencias de mes. Descansen en paz. Frank y Jean 8 años más tarde. Las palabras de Jean en su funeral me llenaron de esperanza, cuando dijo los cristianos en un funeral celebramos la vida, no la.muerte. Mucha fe en Cristo resucitado.
Luis Alberto ORDEJÓN CASADO
September 12, 2020 | Family
In Memory with
Honor & Respect.
S.F. Friscia III
September 28, 2016 | Staten Island, NY
I'm also from the Neocatechmenal Way as Frank was, and I read Jean's testimony in a Spanish language website from the Way. Shocking from the beginning until the end, yet you could see the Lord's mercy by reading Jean's words. May the Lord's peace be always with you. I'm from the 19th Community of San Vicente de Paúl in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
Walter Flores
April 13, 2015 | San Pedro Sula, TX
Just an update for this great remembrance of the legacy of Frank Palumbo. His wife Jean passed away from colon cancer. This was reported on WABC TV NY Channel 7 Eye Witness news. One of their 8 sons was being interviewed by a reporter and seemed well adjusted considering all that the family has been through. The oldest child would now be about 28 years of age.
Bedford Brown
September 20, 2014 | Port Chester, NY
I had the honor of climbing for mr. Palombo in the Nashville memorial stairclimb and he will always be in my heart and will always be with me on future stairclimbs along with the 4 others I have climbed for in the past. I just wanted to say that his sacrifice will never be forgotten . God bless
Jerry Mosley
September 18, 2014 | Nashville, TN
My name is Vince and I am a FF in Cheyenne WY. Yesterday I carried a picture of Frank Palombo in the Denver Memorial Stair Climb. Just wanted to leave a note letting his friends and family know that he has not been forgotten. God Bless all of you.
September 12, 2013
To the family of Frank A Palombo: I could not let this day pass without acknowledging the sacrifice made by the Men and Women of the New York City Fire Department. Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for your loss.
Nick Miokovic
September 11, 2013 | Orlando, FL
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
G. Freeman
September 11, 2013 | GA