“Coach” Peter Richard Palermo, 80, passed away peacefully on October 18, 2022 with his devoted wife by his side, after two years battle against cancer.
He was the beloved husband of Maureen E. (Leonard) Palermo. Born in Providence, 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 nine grandchildren: 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 an outstanding hockey and baseball player, two of the many sports he would be passionate about throughout his life. After graduating, he served six years in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Peter was an elite Pro Duckpin Bowler, reaching No. 2 in Rhode Island and No. 9 in the country, but then hung up his bowling shoes and turned to coaching and volunteering. He kissed her role on the bench for decades – whether on the ball field or on the ice rink. For many years you will find him on the ice volunteering as instructor and coach of numerous teams with Warwick Junior Hockey Association. In 2016 he was inducted into Rhode Island Babe Ruth League Hall of Fame, in recognition of his 35 years of dedication volunteer service to the Warwick PAL Babe Ruth League and Rhode Island Babe Ruth Leagues.
Peter coached in the hockey and baseball programs at Pilgrim High School for 15 years. In 1990, Coach Palermo was the prouder of the two teams winning the state championship the same year. He wrapped his coaching careers of his grandchildren in softball and baseball, as well as 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 has built a very successful career.
Besides his family, friends and sports, and his quest to find the best Italian grinder and Zeppole as it is, Peter’s love of Doo-Wop music was obvious to all who knew him, if he was driving with the turn up the volume on the radio, sing and dance at every opportunity he could, or make a call, say nothing, but hold the phone in front of the speaker to share a verse or two from any CD he was playing from his extraordinary collection. It really made him so happy to share his passions, be it baseball, hockey or music, with others… and that is why he will be remembered the most.
Peter’s family are very grateful for the treatment and sympatheticcare he received from the doctors, nurses, navigators and staff of the Lifespan Cancer Institute. In lieu of flowers, donations can 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)
Please visit www.TheQuinnFuneralHome.com for funeral information, service details and online condolences.