Joseph DePalo

Mr. Joseph DePalo, 91, of Herkimer, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday morning, November 1, 2008 peacefully in Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, Ilion. At the time of his passing he was surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born the son of the late Michele and Filomena (DeFronzo) DePalo in Herkimer on May 31, 1917 and educated in Italian schools. He resided the greater part of his life in Herkimer and lived in Manhattan for a number of years. May 18, 1946 began a loving union of 51 years when Joe was united in marriage with Anna Fiorentino in St. Anthony’s Church, Herkimer. Mrs. DePalo passed away on November 26, 1997. He entered into the United States Army on Feb. 8, 1943 and was honorably discharged on February 1, 1946 and was the recipient of the American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and The European African Middle Eastern Service Medal.  Joe was last employed with the former Library Bureau, Herkimer as a cabinet maker, retiring after 30 years of dedicated service.
He was a devoted and faithful member of Sts. Anthony and Joseph Church, Herkimer where he was the 2nd person to be baptized and also currently a devoted and faithful member of St. Francis deSales Church. He was a member of the Herkimer Michael S. Pliseck VFW Post #4915, a long time active member of the Village of Herkimer Senior Citizens and a member of the Herkimer Knights of Columbus where he was recognized for his sixty years of service.
Joe was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He established countless relationships that had great meaning and value both to Joe and to those he befriended. Joe was a hard-working man who had a strong set of values and was truly devoted to fatherhood and his role as grandfather. He has left his family with many wonderful memories of their dad and Poppie. Joe derived much pleasure in the camaraderie of bingo.
He leaves his loving family; his children: Phyllis DePalo of Cohoes, Marie Glaser and husband Tom of Columbia, MD, Michael DePalo and wife Denise of Northborough, Mass., JoAnn Savas and husband Greg of Herkimer and Linda Loudon and husband Steve of Waterville; a brother: John DePalo and wife Minnie of New York City, ten cherished grandchildren: Cristy Szachta and husband Christopher, Amanda Yesensky and husband Jeff, Paul and Nicholas Savas, John and Matthew Glaser, Danielle and Joseph DePalo, Alyssa and Joseph Loudon; in laws: Anna DePalo of NYC, Mary Fiorentino of Utica, Fran and Vincent Fiorentino of Herkimer and Leonard Licari of Syracuse; many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a brother, Nicola DePalo, two sisters, Antoinetta Rucci and Sister Leonilda “Emilia” DePalo.
Mr. DePalo’s funeral commenced at 12:15 p.m. on Monday (today), November 3, 2008 from the chapel of the Enea Family Funeral Home (Herkimer) where prayer was offered and at 1 p.m. from St. Francis de Sales Church, Herkimer where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Mark Cunningham, pastor. Procession followed to Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer where he was laid to rest. Military honors was accorded by the US Army. Relatives and friends paid their respects from 10:15 a.m. until 12:15 p.m. prior to the service this morning. Kindly consider memorial offerings to the Herkimer Senior Center, St. Francis de Sales Regional Catholic School or to a charity of your choice. Envelopes are available at the funeral parlor. The Herkimer VFW conducted their service at 11 am this morning. The Village of Herkimer Senior Citizens conducted their service at 11:30 a.m. and the Herkimer Knights of Columbus at 11:45 am at the Enea Family Funeral Home.
The family would like to thank the staff at Claxton Manor for their care with a special thank you to Gloria. Also thank you to the Mohawk Valley Nursing Home, Dr. Butala, Dr. Parker and their respective staff members for the outstanding kindness, care and compassion given to Joe. To offer an online note of sympathy to the family go to www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.