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Togo Palazzi Obituary
Togo was born in Union City, New Jersey, son of Francesco and Mary Palazzi. Togo raised his family in Worcester, later moving to Southborough.
Togo was a basketball standout at Union Hill High School. Recruited by coach Buster Sheary who would become his lifelong friend, Togo entered Holy Cross where he earned national attention for his basketball accomplishments. Among his achievements, he led Holy Cross to the 1954 NIT championship and was tournament MVP. He was chosen as the fifth pick in the first round of the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics in 1954. He played four seasons with the Celtics and two seasons with the Syracuse Nationals.
Togo followed his NBA career with more than 35 years of coaching. During his coaching career, he was an assistant men's coach at Holy Cross with George Blaney and he was the school's first women's basketball coach. He was a fixture around Holy Cross for more than 70 years.
In addition to coaching thousands of players, His greatest impact may have been mentoring young aspiring athletes who flocked to summer youth basketball camps and clinics to absorb his guidance about practical skills on the court and the development of a competitive attitude.
With his generous spirit, Togo never stopped helping to improve the skills of interested basketball players who would seek out his advice about the game he loved.
Togo leaves his companion of 38 years, Judith Hoss; six children, Francis, Vincent, Michael, Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Matthew Palazzi; his sister Diana Palazzi of Union City, N.J.; 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
There will be a funeral Mass Saturday, August 20, at 10 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church, 555 Pleasant St., Worcester. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester. There are no calling hours. To participate in the funeral Mass virtually, you may live-stream it at https://player2.streamspot.com/?playerId=578e4cbf or https://blessedsacrament.us/
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Togo's memory to The College of the Holy Cross general scholarship fund, 1 College St., Worcester, MA 01610.
The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing funeral arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
mitchell fillet
January 4, 2023
Coach Palazzi played a very important role in my life at a very important time. With his guidance, I was able to fulfill my vision to be a college athlete. And without his coaching and his instilling in me self-confidence that I had totally lost by senior year of high school, I could never have achieved what I did in college.
God Bless you Coach..I know you are in Heaven.
michael donahue
September 7, 2022
Franny, Vinny and the entire Palazzi family, my sincere condolences on the loss of your father. May he rest in peace.
Friend
August 22, 2022
I will never forget Togo. We had many laughs, and good times. He was a true legend of the game, and a true Gem. I will miss you my friend, thanks for the great memories... My prayers go out to his family as he often talked about all of you, and was proud of all of you.
Lou D'Allesandro
August 21, 2022
togo was a dear friend a wonderful human being he will live forever in our hearts.
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Miguel Llopiz
August 19, 2022
My condolences to the Palazzi family. Togo was a great man, mentor and friend to many. He will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace good sir.
The Bob Fouracre Family and siblings, John, David, Patti and Donald
August 18, 2022
Our family sends the Palazzi family our heart felt sympathy and condolences. Togo was a dear friend with our brother Bob and their relationship spanned over 60 years. They shared the love of basketball, humor and the unique bond of the Holy Cross family. Togo shared their stories with us last summer at Bob´s Celebration of Life. We would like to repeat the words Bob shared with Togo when Bob´s health was suffering. "Togo, the good Lord has you in his arms and he is holding you there and he is keeping you there and giving you hope and spirit."
Peace and strength to your family.
Robyne Bondi
August 18, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Paul DiCicco Millbury Mass
August 18, 2022
My sincere condolences to the Palazzi family on the passing on my friend Togo. I teasure the memories I shared with Togo in the 1960,s.RIP my old friend,
Ralph Willard HC '67
August 18, 2022
A man that represented Holy Cross values both on and off the court in the best way possible. Always trying to impact others in the most positive way. He will be sorely missed and his Jersey should be hanging from the Hart rafters as a reminder of his selfless contributions to the Holy Cross Community. May his family find peace and joy in celebrating his life.
John G. Phelan HC '54
August 17, 2022
Deepest sympathy to the Palazzi family. My friend and classmate was a special guy on and off the court. Despite his ever growing fame He remained always "one of the guys" His rapport and banter with his pal and teammate Ron Perry entertained us when we gathered at class reunions over the years He surely will be missed by his family and his Holy Cross Family
Don Altomare
August 17, 2022
Thank you Togo,for inspiring us basketball players, from the schoolyard to the hard courts at Union Hill High School under our coach George Faltings. Rest In Peace.
Paul Dufault
August 17, 2022
Franny, Vinny, Mike and all the Palazzi family, so sorry to hear about your dad's passing. He truly was a legend, larger than life, he was so passionate about basketball and so proud of all of you. We saw him many times in our office, 15 minute visits became 2 hour sessions talking about the Celtics, Holy Cross, Buster Sheary etc., but mostly about you guys. I saw him with Fr Markey at a Navy game a few years ago and stopped to say hi. I told him he would have had 30 if he was playing....he corrected me and said he would have had 50!. Rest in peace Togo.
The Fouracre Family
August 17, 2022
Our prayers and thoughts are with the Palazzi Family during this most difficult time. May peace be with you.
Jim Kane
August 16, 2022
Recall, the first time I saw Togo.
As an impressionable youngster attending a Worcester Academy Basketball Clinic --- will never forget seeing Togo, an All- American and a Celtic player respectfully running a multitude of laps around the gym at the command of Coach Sheary.
Observing the two legends interact sent a message that discipline can be associated with love and respect.
I may add, prior to "Buster" demonstrating the proper coach- player relationship; my eyes were glued on Coach Sheary as he slowly crawled on his stomach to half court where a lonely basketball awaited...recall him looking towards us after hugging and caressing the ball and saying, "You've got to LOVE this game!"
My sympathies are extended to Togo's family.
Rob Costello
August 16, 2022
Thank you Togo
Maureen and John Wendelken
August 16, 2022
Our prayers go out to the Palazzi family.Always remember the one on one and three on three games at Holy Cross and Worcester Academy with Togo and the boys.GOD BLESS.
Dave Hultgren
August 16, 2022
My prayers and sympathy to the Palazzi Family. Your Dad was a great guy to us and was really tough when it came to upping our basketball game. I think of him often. He will be missed.
Fred Potenti
August 16, 2022
My sympathies to Togo´s family on his passing. A Worcester legend and a very kind man. RIP Togo.
Joe Kusz
August 16, 2022
God Speed Coach.
Steve Baker
August 15, 2022
Mr. Palazzi a excellent person, who helped many in life. Very sorry.
John Gagas
August 15, 2022
We will all miss you. John and Family House of Pizza Marllboro.
Owen Keenan HC '82
August 15, 2022
I first met Togo at Holy Cross. He gave me an individual workout. Stuff I still use to this day with my own team. I heard him lecture many times over the years, both as a player at HC camp, then as a counselor. He became a good friend and mentor. My father waited on him many times at Jordan Marsh. Always pleasant, and always remembered my name. I will never forget him, and I will never forget - "I ate a lot of garlic and breathed on him." "You want the ball, Palazzi, go and get it." "Let's go Togo." "To it and through it." And, my alltime favorite - "Be a hooker." God Bless Togo, and my prayers for him and the family.
Lou DeSantis
August 15, 2022
Many memories all connected to his children and the successes they were experiencing during their lives. He was one of your greatest cheerleaders! He will be missed. Rest in peace.
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