Joseph Palazzolo

Joseph John Palazzolo "Joe", age 92 of Milford and formerly of Hyde Park, died peacefully on August 12, 2022 in the excellent care of Hospice of Cincinnati with his daughter, his son, and daughter-in law at his side. He was born on October 31,1929 to Sicilian immigrants, Antonio and Carmella (Bommarito) Palazzolo. He was the youngest child of the 4 brothers (Peter, William, Dominic and Paul) and 2 sisters (Elizabeth Viviano and Rose Spaccarelli). All of his bothers and sisters and their spouses preceded him in death and his death marks the end of a generation of first generation Americans.

Joe's father Antonio Palazzolo came to the United States in 1905 with his family and they made their home in Saint Louis Missouri where he married Carmella Bommarito. In 1919 he moved his wife and two children to Cincinnati to open a produce market. As their family grew, so did the business. All of the Palazzolo brothers joined the family business and it expanded to include the original produce shop on Court Street, a spaghetti factory on Gilbert Avenue, Capronis Restaurant, movie theaters, and real estate in the Hyde Park area.

Joe married the love of his life, Gail Sidell in 1959. He would often say about her, She gave me life and gave that life purpose. During her pregnancy with their first child Marita, Joe decided to sell his shares in the family business and follow his passion. He opened a greeting card business called Carousel Corner.

His love of greeting cards began in World War II during his senior year in high school. Always a man of great compassion, Joe was moved by the requests of the Red Cross to ease the loneliness of the boys overseas and in army camps across the nation. He set up a pen pal club with 27 servicemen and bought and sent greeting cards to ease their loneliness.

It seemed only natural that Joe turned his passion of expressing love to a greeting card business. What Joe said about greeting cards is, every greeting card says I love you. Joe believed that as a greeting card dealer, he helped solve the problems of communication for his customers and enabled them to find words to express their emotions. He knew all of the versus of each card and thought of each one as a unique expression. People would come into his store, and he would help them find just the right card to express their feelings. He continued the practice of sending greeting cards long after his retirement and bought a printer and a Hallmark app to create his own.

Joe was a consummate storyteller and delighted in embellishing his stories which would evoke peels of laughter from his listeners. He never lost his sense of humor, and he credited his long life of 92 years to being able to find the humor in dark places.

Joe moved to AHEPA community on Easley Drive in Milford Ohio in 2013 after the death of his wife. In his later years, he continued his expressions by putting a balloon with holiday messages for the other residents. He was often spotted around his neighborhood riding his neon blue scooter until a week before his hospitalization and subsequent death.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gail (nee Sidell) and his daughter, Marita Gerwe. He is survived by his daughter, Lynne Palazzolo, his son John Palazzolo (Jacquie), his grandchildren Mallory Finn, Jordan Finn, Nic Sturgill (Heather),Chad Sturgill (Teryn), Carissa Palazzolo, his 6 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and compassion for all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 5890 Buckwheat Rd, Milford, on Saturday, August 27th at 11 am. Friends may visit at the church on Saturday from 10 to 11 am. A private family inurnment will be held at St. Joseph New Cemetery at a later date.