Peter Richard Palermo

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“Coach” Peter Richard Palermo, age 80, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2022 with his devoted wife by his side, following a two-year battle with cancer.

He was the beloved husband of Maureen E. (Leonard) Palermo. Born in Providence, the son of the late Vito and Concetta Palermo.  Peter leaves behind his sister Lois (John) Frizado; his children Peter (Holly), Richard (Connie), Craig (Deborah), and Jennifer (Sergio), and his stepson Brian Shurtleff. He was the proud grandfather of ten grandchildren: Amanda, Gianna, Nicole, Taylor, Alexandria, Bryant, Richard Jr., Olivia, Cole, and Quinn; and two great-granddaughters, Blake and Zenith.

As a young athlete, Peter played football, hockey, and baseball and was also an accomplished diver. Peter was a 1962 graduate of Cranston High School where he was a standout hockey and baseball player, two of the many sports that he would carry a passion for throughout his lifetime. After graduation, he served six years in the U.S. Army Reserve.

 Peter was an elite Pro Duckpin Bowler, reaching the rank of #2 in Rhode Island and #9 in the country, but then hung up his bowling shoes and turned his attention to coaching and volunteering. He embraced his role on the bench for decades – whether on the ball field or at the ice rink. For many years, you would find him on the ice volunteering as an instructor and coach of numerous teams with Warwick Junior Hockey Association. In 2016, he was inducted to the Rhode Island Babe Ruth League Hall of Fame, in recognition of his 35 years of dedicated volunteer service to the Warwick PAL Babe Ruth League and the Rhode Island Babe Ruth Leagues.

Peter coached in Pilgrim High School’s hockey and baseball programs for 15 years. In 1990, Coach Palermo was most proud of both teams winning the state championship in the same year. He wrapped up his career coaching his grandchildren in softball and baseball, along with his three sons, at Warwick West Side and Warwick National Little Leagues.

 He was the proud founder and owner of Exchange Real Estate and Mortgage Plus. As a real estate and mortgage broker, Peter built a very successful career.

 Aside from his family, friends and sports, and his quest to find the best Italian grinder and Zeppole in the state, Peter’s love of Doo-Wop music was evident by all who knew him, whether he was driving by with the radio volume up, singing and dancing at every opportunity he could, or making a call, saying nothing, but holding the phone up to the speaker to share a verse or two from whatever CD he was playing from his extraordinary collection. It truly made him so happy to share his passions, whether it was baseball, hockey or music, with others… and that is what he will be most remembered for.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 24, 2022 from the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick, RI, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Kevin Church, 333 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI. His burial will be private. Calling hours will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, October 23, 2022 at the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home.

Peter’s family is very grateful for the treatment and compassionate care he received from the doctors, nurses, navigators, and staff at the Lifespan Cancer Institute. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Head and Neck Cancer Fund at Rhode Island Hospital, PO Box H, Providence, RI 02901 or online at Support Rhode Island Hospital (https://giving.lifespan.org/RIH/Support-RIH)

Kindly visit www.TheQuinnFuneralHome.com for information and condolences.