SCHENECTADY — On Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, Frank Palmeri of Brooklyn, New York who most recently lived in Schenectady, “joined his beloved wife, Trudy, in heaven,” his family wrote in a tribute. “Frank led a truly amazing life.

“He was born in 1929 in Brooklyn, the son of Italian immigrants Louis and Rosa. The economic depression of 1929 was extremely harsh, and so Louis and Rosa agreed that she would return to Sicily with their four children — Frank, Vito, Mary, and Angela — to live with family.

“The economic crisis of the 1930s and then World War II resulted in the family not being able to return to the United States until 1947. In 1950, Frank met Gertrude Colasanti, who became the love of his life.

“Because Frank was born an American citizen, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in Korea. He and Trudy stayed in contact while he served overseas, and when he returned they fell deeper in love. They married in 1955 and raised their three sons in Brooklyn. When Trudy entered heaven in 2015, she and Frank were just short of their 60th wedding anniversary.

“For his children, Frank modeled hard work and compassionate caregiving. With little formal education, he became a master shoe repairman and spent many years operating his own business. His sons watched him get up at 5 a.m. in the morning, take mass transit to work, and get home in the early evening, often doing this six days a week.

“The family lived next door to Frank’s parents and, after a long day of work and a late dinner, Frank would tend to their needs. The caregiving that he provided for his parents was selfless and awe-inspiring. This selfless caregiving was returned to him by his son Frank and Frank’s wife, Charlotte, during his later years till his passing.

“Frank loved to cook and worked wonders with a charcoal grill! He also made the most perfect meatballs that no one, anywhere, will ever be able to match. Nothing gave him more joy than being able to celebrate life over a home-cooked meal with his family.

“His other loves were pizza, occasional gambling, Italian pastries, and Italian music. Frank’s stories put a smile on everyone’s face, and he had an ecstatic laugh that brought cheer to any occasion. Family picnics will never be the same.”

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Frank Palmeri is survived by his sons, Frank Palmeri and his wife, Charlotte, of Guilderland, Anthony Palmeri and his wife, Lori, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and James Palmeri and his wife, Robyn, of Tampa, Florida; by his grandchildren, Heather Grebe and her husband, Rick, Derek, Hannah, and Ira Martin and his wife, Meredith; and by his great-grandchildren Jackson, Clara, Regan, and Owen as well as bylong-time dear friend Bill Zimmer.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Nov. 4 at St. Madeleine Sophie Church in Guilderland with a full military burial at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville.

“Our family would like to express our gratitude to the Veterans Administration Hospitals, both in Manhattan and Albany, for the exceptional care he received over the years,” the tribute said. “We would also like to thank the staff at Ingersoll Place Assisted Living in Niskayuna for the wonderful care they provided. And lastly, the caring staff at Hospice and specifically St. Peter’s Hospital Community Hospice Inn for making Frank’s last hours on Earth peaceful.”

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Community Hospice, 310 South Manning Boulevard, Albany, NY 12208.