Norman Kenyon Palladino

1932 - 2009

Norm Palladino passed away peacefully at his home in Oxnard, CA on April 3, 2009.

He was born July 11, 1932 in Syracuse, New York, the youngest of three children of Louis and Norma Kenyon Palladino. After graduating from Onondaga Academy in Syracuse he entered the United States Naval Academy as a member of the 24th Company of the class of 1955. Upon graduation he was commissioned a 2nd Lt in The United States Air Force. After completing Advanced All-Weather Interceptor Training at Tyndall AFB, Panama City, FL Norm was assigned to the 331st Fighter INterceptor Squadron of The Air Defense Command at Stewart AFB in Newburgh, NY flying the F-86D Sabre Jet.

While at Stewart he met his future wife, Mary Tyrrell Pratt, a senior at Vassar College. They were married August 24, 1957 in Baltimore. Shortly afterwards the 331st Squadron was transferred to Webb AFB, Big Spring Texas to fly the F-102A Delta Dagger. In 1962 Norm graduated from the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio with a Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. His next assignment was to the Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards AFB in California where he headed the Design and Analysis Department for Solid Rocket Motors.

Norm resigned form the Air Force in 1965 to join Lockheed Propulsion Company in Redlands, CA. where he was program manager for rocket and US Navy aircraft carrier nuclear propulsion programs. In 1971 he became Vice-president of Finance and Administration for Recreational Vehicle Resorts operating Yogi Bear Jellystone Campgrounds in California.

He joined Trailer Life Publishing Company in 1976 where he was executive director of the GoodSam Parks program. Norm reentered the defense industry in 1980 working for Atlantic Research Company where he managed the Dayton, OH office and then later was the program manager for stealth cruise missile booster rockets. While in Dayton, OH office and then later was the program manager for stealth cruise missle booster rockets. While in Dayton he was the president of The Dayton Navy League.

Norm and his wife retired to Oxnard in 1998 where he was a board member, newsletter editor and web master of The Oxnard Lawn Bowls Club. He also maintained the website for hi Naval Academy class.

He is survived by his wife, Mary-Tyrrell (Pinky); sister Dolores Carrigan (Don) Syracuse, NY; children Jeff (wife Annette) Tigard, OR; Debbie Erickson (Jason) Thousand Oaks, CA; Scott (wife Lindsey) Simi Valley, CA; Doug (wife Sandy) Sherwood, OR; 9 grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Norm's ashes will be scattered at sea.