Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Leonard J. Palumbo Sr.
Leonard J. Palumbo Sr.
Obituary
Guest Book
Leonard Palumbo Obituary
View All Photos
Add Photos to Memorial
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Nick Rizzo
September 23, 2008
Living a great distance away, news takes awhile at times. So please forgive this late entry. Lenny was a man's man, and I've always respected him for that. I didn't see him often, but when I did, he always made me feel good, even when he wasn't feeling well himself. I can only hope I made him feel the same. We had a special connection, which isn't important here, but the important thing is knowing what a wonderful husband and father he was. I, like many, are blessed to have had him touch our lives in one way or another. He did have that special gift. Without question, he will be dearly missed, and rightfully so. However, his son's have said it best. The love they portray for their father needs no other explanation. As proud as they were of their father, I know Jeannette felt exactly the same. Together, they raised their children with respect and love and no one could ask for more. They were a team, and the last time I saw them together, they both still had that sparkle in their eyes for each other. Lenny never, and I mean NEVER, neglected to tell me how beautiful his wife was each time we met, and how lucky he was to have her in his life. Lenny, you built your castle and yes, one day you will all be together again with all the love you instilled in your family and more. For some reason, God wanted you now, so now you are with him. May God bless you Lenny, and keep your family well and safe until you are all together again. Please know that I will miss seeing you when I come home to visit. Nomine Patris, Filii, et Spiritus Sancti ... Amen.
donald reilly
September 17, 2008
My deepest sympathy on your loss of Lenny! Lenny and I were early very best friends in elementary and junior high. We played 1000's of hours of sport's together and ,without equivocation,Lenny was always the best #1.I have many fond memories of playing at Joe & Angele's home near our home in LaSalle. Lenny & I lost track of each other when he join the Marines & I joined the Navy in 1958. I will always remember Lenny fondly as a passionate,decent,caring best friend!........Don Reilly
Barry Chaisson
September 9, 2008
Our condolences to your family
Barry and Mary Chaisson
Sanger Ca
Samantha (Philbrick) Nasr
September 8, 2008
I was saddened by the news of Mr. Palumbo's passing. He grew up with my father and uncles. I loved to watch Mr. P. give my dad a hard time. My dad liked having that LaSalle connection in Lewiston.
God bless you.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Cathy & Dennis Niccola
September 8, 2008
Dear Jeanette & Family:
Our deepest sympathy to you on the loss of Lenny. I'll remember his friendly smile each time we would meet. Also, I'll remember our conversation this past summer at one of the t-ball games in which we discussed growing up in LaSalle; how Lenny knew members of my family, and what a small world it really is. Please know you're in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Garden Gate HCF
September 8, 2008
All of you are in our thoughts and prayers
Marjorie Beachy
September 7, 2008
I was so sorry to hear of the loss of a very special person from the class of '58 at LaSalle. Lenny played sports with my future husband, Bob Beachy. I remember him as always being generous and smiling. He showed me his kindness by coming to Bob's funeral in a blizzard because he said they were always buddies. May God grant you peace and comfort. Sincerely, Margie Hehir Beachy
Robert Bull, Jr, M.D.
September 7, 2008
Dear Mrs. Palumbo and Family,
Although our meetings were infrequent; it was always a pleasure to see you, Lenny and your sons. Of course, it brings happy memories of Lucille as well as many others. Know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Call if there is anything I can do . God Bless
Chrysta Griggs (Chaisson)
September 7, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Lenny, Jr.
September 6, 2008
Today I say goodbye to my best friend, my hero, my dad. I couldn’t possibly love him any more than I do, and these feelings have made me dread this day for many years. I thought this would be the worst day of my life but it’s not. Despite all of the obstacles that stood in his way, my dad left this world well prepared for the next.
My dad liked to refer to himself as “The Orphan from LaSalle”. He never knew his father and his mother split town soon after he was born, leaving him with his grandparents. When they died several years later, he was taken in by his aunt and uncle who raised him until he was thrown out of high school just a few months short of graduation. He told me that his guidance counselor drove him from school to the Marine Corps recruiting office and said, “You’re either going here or to jail.” He didn’t know it at the time but it would set him on a new course and change his life forever.
The Marines gave him the discipline he needed to make it on his own. When he was discharged from the Corps he returned to Niagara Falls and found a job at Carbon Graphite. He worked there for over thirty years until lung cancer forced him to retire. It was a dirty job and he made me work there the summer before I left for college. He figured that it would inspire me to take my studies more seriously. It did.
From the time he was diagnosed with cancer, emphysema and chronic lung disease in 1995, we knew we were on borrowed time. He had definitely dodged a bullet surviving cancer, and also was lucky to come through open heart surgery a few years later. But it simply wasn’t his time yet; there was much unfinished business to complete. What an incredible journey it would be from the angry little boy with no mom or dad to the wonderful person he would become.
The love that most kids receive from their parents was absent during my dad’s childhood and teenage years, and this shaped his personality. We often spoke of his high school football games. All the other guys had their parents in the stands wearing the number of their sons and cheering them on but there was no one there for him. It made him want to destroy the opposition or anyone else who looked at him the wrong way. It also made him an angry, violent man who would fight at the drop of a hat and knock someone out cold if that’s what it came to. Fortunately, God had a special plan for this very special man and it’s doubtful that those who knew him as a young person would ever have predicted how he would cross the finish line.
In all the years I played football and basketball, before every game the first thing I would do was find him in the crowd. I couldn’t concentrate on starting the game until I knew where he was sitting. Once I spotted him, I could then focus on making him proud. I played as much for him as I did myself. It was my gift to him for all of the games he was forced to play with nobody there, and also for all he meant to me.
My dad’s entire purpose for living was my beautiful mother, my brother David and myself. In every thing that he did, nothing was for him. It was all for us. To the very end he fought like he did as a young man. Only this time it wasn’t out of anger and disappointment, it was out of love and complete selflessness.
Most people who knew my dad likely remember his great, outgoing personality or his quick temper. Many would probably be surprised to learn that he prayed the Rosary daily for the last three or four years of his life. For many years, mom attended Mass by herself while dad stayed home and watched the ballgames. He wasn’t a phony person and attending church when he didn’t believe in what was going in there was not something he was about. It didn’t matter much to me because I didn’t have any faith either.
But something unexpected happened to both of us when God’s grace touched me about ten years ago. I still don’t know why it happened but God blessed me with a faith in Him and his Word that I never imagined possible. I began to change the way I was living and the most important thing to me became my dad’s salvation. The thought of him participating in all that God has prepared for us when we meet Him face to face became my top priority.
It certainly didn’t happen over night but gradually he began attending Mass again, first sporadically but, eventually, every Sunday. When his health deteriorated to the point where he couldn’t get to Mass anymore, he would watch on t.v. and a Eucharistic minister would bring communion to his home. Like myself, the Rosary became his favorite prayer. To watch his transformation has only reinforced the truth I’ve come to believe that all things are possible with God.
I have been so blessed by God with the gift of my father; I couldn’t imagine a better man to have called dad. Just as great a blessing is the realization that today is not the worst day of my life as I thought it would be. I am confident that God has accepted my dad into his heavenly home where he was always destined to be. This is as it must be for he was God’s from the beginning and he is God’s to take back. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
First Corinthians tells us that of all things in existence, all that remains is faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love. My dad has left this world with faith in heart and the hope that we will all be reunited again someday soon. But, most importantly, he leaves behind a legacy of love beyond measure. Dad, I love you with all my heart.
Dorothy (Safarian) Hennegan
September 6, 2008
Jeanette, Our prayers and thoughts go out to you and your son's and grandson Dominic. It was always a pleasure to be around Lenny no matter what. I feel a great deal of sympathy for you and your family. I did attend the mass, but did not get to speak to you. There was so many of Lenny's "fans", such a long line of friends. He will never be forgotten.He was a leader of our Class of 1958' La Salle
Joan Dougherty
September 6, 2008
Jeanette; You and your beloved family are in my thoughts and prayers. may God bless you and Mary love you. Joan Dougherty Lewiston, N.Y.
Butch Andrews
September 6, 2008
Lenny,to all the good times at LaSalle and after.Who better to talk jazz with. God bless
BOB KYSOR
September 6, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Albie Nest(Bailey)
September 6, 2008
Lenny, I will always remenber the fun we had at all the class reunions. God bless.
Bob(Bomar) Barr
September 6, 2008
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Lenny. He was a great guy. I knew on 77th Street, as I lived there myself and on 99th street, where I lived across the syreet from him. He pledged me in the Hi-Y. He gave me the name Bomar, which quite a few H.S.people still call me.
We had alot of fun. I'll never forget you, Lenny.
Steve Calandrelli
September 5, 2008
Our deepest sympathy to Jeanette and her family at this time of sorrow. May God's blessing be with you all. With fond memories of the "Boss" at Carbide Graphite.
Steve and Linda Calandrelli
Lawrence Pacifico Jr.
September 5, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
mike granata
September 5, 2008
Lenny was truly the most unselfish person I ever knew.He was always trying to make life a little easier for all around him and we will never know how many people he helped but I know their were very many.He was just a great guy and I feel privileged to be His friend. mike granata
d p
September 5, 2008
i was blessed to have you for a father--always my hero. he gave his family all the things he never had and lived every day for us. always there to help me through troubles and show us the way. always there to say the right things when i was lost. he gave all of us a lifetime of unconditional love and wisdom.
we miss you so much already...but find comfort to know you're no longer suffering.
The Roemer Family
September 5, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Thomas Brownell
September 5, 2008
Lenny was one of the most memorable kids from our school days.
He always smiled and was nice to everyone, a great loss to us all.
Ralph & Judy Manfredi
September 5, 2008
Sorry to hear about Lenny. We will miss him.
The Passanese Family
September 5, 2008
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Jeanette, Lenny, and David. Our prayers are with you all, and your dear husband and father. Len Sr. will now rest in peace with our Lord.
Marty Iacampo Sr
September 5, 2008
Lenny was a true, dear friend of mine for almost 50 years - I loved him like my own brother and will surely miss him - Semper Fi Palumbo
Ike
Carmine & Joyce Filice
September 5, 2008
Jeanette,
We are truly sorry for your loss, our prayers are with you and your family. Carmine "Butch" & Joyce Filice & Family
Dave Perreault
September 5, 2008
Mrs. P, David and Lenny -
One of the best story tellers I have ever met. It is easy to say - All of David and Lenny's close friends absolutely loved Mr. Palumbo. He always treated the boys friends like family. I'll never forget the times I spent at your house and the hilarious stories he told. A fine father and like a "second Dad" to so many. I'll miss him very much.
Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results
Make a Donation
in Leonard Palumbo's name
How to support Leonard's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Leonard Palumbo's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
