Frank J Palmeri

Frank J. Palmeri (1939 – 2024)

Frank J. Palmeri passed away on August 13, 2024, in his adopted town of Prescott, Arizona. Born on September 12, 1939, to first generation Sicilian immigrants Rose Amato and Ralph Palmeri in Chicago, Illinois, Frank was the youngest of five children that included Michael, Antoinette (Tagliavia), Ann (Chapas), and Vito. Frank enlisted in the Army and served most of his tour of duty in Germany before heading back to Chicago in 1960.

‍‍In 1963, Frank married his beloved wife, Kathleen "Kathy" Daly, and together they raised three children: Lisa Palmeri Oleson (John), Janet Emond (Scott), and Joseph "Joe" Palmeri. Frank was a devoted father, known for his presence at his children's track and cross-country meets and running with Kathy in a neighborhood running club. Frank spent his early adult years working, raising a family and cleaning up at his hometown's annual Turkey Trots in Addison, Illinois.

‍Frank's hobbies centered around his family, love of travel, and enjoyment of the great outdoors while hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking and horseback riding. As a child, Frank learned to ride horses at a City of Chicago stable so later on as a young father, he bought his first and most beloved horse, Mingo, and taught his entire family how to ride. As soon his young family was "road worthy", Frank (with Kathy as his copilot) packed up the Oldsmobile and headed west on memorable road trips spanning many miles and years. Once retired, Frank and Kathy upgraded the Oldsmobile for a camper trailer and set out, now with grandchildren in tow, to state and national parks from the Grand Canyon to Yosemite and many beautiful spots in between.

‍Frank was predeceased by his parents, brothers and sisters. His memory will be forever held in the hearts of his surviving family: his wife Kathy; his children, Lisa, Janet and Joe and his four grandchildren, Kyle, Andrew, Rei Joseph "RJ", and Allison "Ally"; his nieces and nephews.

‍A military service to celebrate Frank's life will be held in October at the Prescott National Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, the Palmeri family kindly requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, alzfdn.org, to support their mission of serving individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and funding the search for a cure.

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Frank J. Palmeri will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His legacy will live on through his children and grandchildren who share his unwavering work ethic, passion for travel and the outdoors, and above all else, love of family.