Lawrence DiPalma

Lawrence DiPalma, age 97, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. He was a loving husband to Mary Antaki, who predeceased him in 2009, proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his beloved children, Mary Ellen, Michael (Suni), Evamarie (Edward Fontana), and Patrick; his cherished grandchildren, Robert (Jessica), Stephen (Jennifer), Karen, Melanie (Josh), and Maleah; as well as his adored great-grandchildren, Emily, Sarah, Ryan, Skylar, Katey, Danielle, Lillian and Sophia.

He was born in the building that was home to the family owned butcher shop on 101st ave in Ozone Park Queens New York to Pasquale DiPalma and Cristina Veneziano - He was the oldest of 4 children - Felicetta (Cetti) Pasquale (Patsy) and Patricia - they grew up in a home on 150th ave in Queens and the boys worked in their father’s butcher shop - DiPalma’s Meat Market on Jamaica Ave.

He was drafted into the army April 1945,stationed in New Jersey and upon finding out he was an Italian Butcher he became the cook and mess sergeant - as he was awaiting deployment overseas the Japanese surrendered so all his service was stateside- discharged Nov 1946 - (The Army had Americanized his name from Lorenzo to Lawrence ) He was extremely proud of his service all his life and received a military burial.

After his service he returned to Queens. He went back to work in the butcher shop and having always been a sports lover, playing varsity baseball and football, he took up fast pitch softball,bowling and coached a local minor league football team called the Higbie Boys He would play sports all his life -

One night he and a friend went to a church dance where he met Mary and while walking her home that night he told her “Mary I am going to marry you “ The rest is history.

They married on July 4th 1950 and would go on to build a life together. They both had a great sense of humor, they were strong in their faith and family values and they dedicated their life to raising their four children.

Family was always important and many Antaki family holidays were hosted by our parents both in Queens and Port Jeff Station. There were neighborhood father and son softball games - the annual Antaki family picnic in Bayshore where he was behind a grill or in the makeshift kitchen after a game of touch football with all the kids.

Throughout the years our family would tell us occasions at Aunt Mary and Uncle Larry’s were some of their best memories - filled with laughter, love and a lot of food !!

He always had a love of cooking, making homemade sausage, Sunday sauce and many other favorites but was famous for his meatballs. Later in life he took up baking and was known for his butter cookies, rainbow cookies, pignoli and chocolate chip. They were delicious !

He enjoyed gardening, planting flowers and taking care of his lawn and of course growing fresh vegetables to cook with - he was able to continue to do that until 2020 when he sold his home.

Our parents were great dancers and their love of music was something they both enjoyed all their lives. He loved the Big Bands and the sounds of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey and the Andrews Sisters to name a few.

As we grew older they embraced the next chapter - Traveling with neighborhood friends to Woodloch Pines - joining the Yaphank Senior Club - enjoying dances, trips, the weekly card game -bbq’s and yes he was behind the grill!- Dad was involved with Rocky Point Knights of Columbus - served as a Grand Night and was also head of the catering hall there for years - They were members of the VFW and he also could be found cooking and catering for their events.

Mom and Dad enjoyed their trips to Atlantic City. Mom was lucky and won a few jackpots - Dad not so much so he played the pennies but they loved the time away and enjoyed all Atlantic City casinos had to offer - the shows the restaurants and the slots!

Their faith was extremely important to them and they were members of St. Anthony’s Church in Rocky Point. Dad attended mass there every Sunday, even bringing the gifts up to the altar for the Veterans Mass on Nov 10 2024 - He would always stay for the monthly social after mass and was well known by the clergy and the staff. For years he volunteered in the church and was the cook for the fundraiser spaghetti dinners.

His true joy though was spending time with his family -- when we were young he made us breakfast every Sunday morning - he gave advice with an open heart -he loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren - they helped him garden - he loved to hear them laugh - was amazed how they were growing and all they were achieving -there were day long Easter parties where he would help them find eggs -teach them how to make butter cookies - he held the piñata as they hit it laughing the whole time - he loved the visits from his nieces and nephews - he felt an obligation, which he embraced and took joy in, to care for all of us - he showed us how to live by his actions

He was charitable - On Sundays he would bring food for the food pantry at St. Anthony’s church.

He was kind - our mom told us - God knew I needed someone kind in my life and he brought your father to me.

He was hardworking- most of his life working 2 jobs to support his family - even after he retired, at our mom’s insistence, he was busy everyday - making her breakfast in bed, gardening, working around the house, and of course cooking!

He was affectionate - we were always greeted with a kiss and a big smile - when we were little he would rub his cheek to ours- he always held the little one’s hands -he just had a way of making you feel his love.

He had a great sense of humor and laughed easily-leaving us a lifetime of stories that will keep us laughing.

He loved to tell stories and when he did he had a way of bringing them to life - he was known for his storytelling.

He was really just a Good Man who touched all those who met him.