John Joseph Palmisano

Surrounded by his family, John Joseph Palmisano passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, November 16, 2023. John courageously fought a multi-year battle with cancer, but never complained, including in his final hours.

John was born on March 23, 1931, in Kansas City, MO, to Leonard and Rose (Badami) Palmisano. He was a graduate of Glennon High School and Rockhurst University earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. John proudly served his country during the Korean War as a second-class Petty Officer in the US Navy. He started his professional career as an analytical chemist for the Continental Baking Company. In 1959, he worked for the Realex Corporation as a formulating chemist in the insecticide industry working with aerosol and liquid products. He later transferred to the company's plastic division which later became the Calmar Corporation as Quality Control Manager. He retired after 33 years in 1993 as Manager of Technical Services. John participated in three design patents assigned to the company from his association with the engineering and mechanics of the company products. John was a member of the society of Plastic Industries, and served on the board of Nomenclature Standards for the Plastic Sprayer Industries.

John was active in his community serving as Chairman of the Gladstone Cable TV advisory board, a position he held for four years. He was an active member of the St. Charles Catholic Church serving as Eucharistic Minister and Hospitality Minister. He also was a member of the St. Charles Rebuilt Team, the St. Joseph's Table Committee, and the This Man Is You Program. John was affectionately known as "Mr. Coffee." John was a third degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus. John was also active in the Northland Garden Club serving on the board of directors for four years and later as club president for two years. John served as president of the Gray Oaks Homeowners Association for two years and was on the architectural committee for the association.

John was a Boy Scout since his youth, having become an Eagle Scout in 1946 and chosen to the Tribe of Mic-O-Say in 1945. He was elevated in 2014 to Sachem Whistling Thrush. He became a leader in Troop 180 and was committee secretary for five years. He served as an Eagle Scout Project Advisor for Life Scouts and was active in the troop's fundraising activities. He also served as a Commissioner at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation in Osceola, Missouri, for seven years (2008-2014).

John loved sports, particularly watching the Chiefs and Royals games. He also enjoyed bowling and golfing, having made a hole-in-one at Painted Hills golf course (172 yds, 5-wood). He was a fair tennis player in his youth, having won his letter in high school, and was an avid racquetball player. He enjoyed fishing in the Missouri, Arkansas, and Canadian lakes and never turned down an invitation to go fishing.

John was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Agnes DiGiovanni, and Rosalie Shaw, and his first wife of 27 years, Marguerite. John is survived by his wife of 35 years, Barbara, and daughters and sons-in-law, Roseann and Joe Mandacina, Loretta and David Hines, Mary Lynn and Marc Acord; son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Michael Casey-Palmisano and Julia Krivoy; and Barbara’s children, Sharon Casey, Susan Guthrie and Bill Casey. He also leaves 13 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at St. Charles Catholic Church from 10:30 – noon on Tuesday, November 28th, with the funeral mass and burial with military honors immediately thereafter. The family would especially like to thank nurse, Kim Treese, of Catholic Community Hospice for her outstanding care in John’s final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Charles Church c/o “St. Joseph's Table Serving Equipment Fund” or Catholic Community Hospice.

John will be laid to rest in White Chapel Cemetery, 6600 NE Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MO 64119.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dwnwhitechapel.com for the Palmisano family.