Fred Palamara

Born Aug. 8, 1926, the fifth son of George and Frances, Fred and his brothers Tony, Al, George, and Joe were brought up in Jersey City where he got his first job as a driver for the Miele Laundry. And after returning from the army a bread delivery driver for SIlvercup Bread. Later he was employed as Logistics and Depot Manager for Drake’s Bakery and continued to follow his belief to work hard, start at the bottom and work his way up while helping his workmates along the way.

That he accomplished that was evidenced best when, upon his retirement, he was feted with the largest retirement party ever accorded an employee, with everyone from his fellow warehouse workers to the company president honoring his years of service.

Friendships he made during his employment stayed with him for decades later, including with dear friends Nancy Marshall and Lester Livingston.

During World War II, Fred and every one of his brothers enlisted and served overseas, each in different branches of the service, Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and all returning home safely.

Traditional in the Palamara family was lifelong respect for their parents, with each of the brothers marrying, having children and always at their parents’ house Sundays with the entire family for the traditional Italian feast, an afternoon long event. In later years, seasonal parties at different family gatherings continued to be important to Fred, including Paul and Maria’s picnic, Bob and Kathy’s Pig Roast, Kathy and Fred’s Birthday Party and Thanksgiving.

Through all the festivities both with the family and friends, Fred earned the reputation for never missing a party, always impeccably dressed and almost always being the first to arrive. The family knew Fred, though a professional driver who made rounds with his deliveries around New York City with no problem, would get lost driving to a relative’s house; nonetheless he left an hour early to compensate for it and generally maintained his record of being the first to arrive.

Fred enlisted in the Army and served from November 1944 until after the end of the war in December 1946. During his service, he earned the Asia Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation medal, in addition to the Good Conduct Medal.

A professional musician, Fred was a bandsman in the army, playing the trombone. He was especially proud of the Army band which finished second in a competition, losing to the Artie Shaw Band. He continued playing the trombone after the war, and playing professionally at various events and occasions, in addition to working full time. After retirement, Fred decided to learn to play another musical instrument, the organ.

Befriending Jeff Mazza, the owner of Royal Music, Fred accepted his guidance and grew even more as a musician and a close friend of Jeff. The duo started a group that continued to enjoy monthly organ club meetings where they played their musical selections together but also shared stories and a camaraderie as powerful as the music. Fred went on to enter organ competitions and traveled to Florida and Las Vegas where he took second honors in the Big Band Category. Fred also taught music, introducing his nephew Dean to a love of music while instructing him on trombone playing.

Fred ran the Holiday City Bowling League for 25 years, expanding his love for people and his circle of friends. But always, it was his family, generations of them, whom he treasured the most. It was also these generations who came back to Uncle Fred for advice, wisdom, and the secret to a long life.

Fred was married to Madeline for many years and enjoyed a loving life together until her death in 1994. Before she passed away. Madeline told Fred her dear friend, Valerie Foreman, a widow at Holiday City, was a wonderful lady and might be good for him after her death. Taking is wife’s advice, Fred allowed a friendly relationship to grow and a year later, that relationship flourished into a warm loving life for the next 28 years until Valerie died in May of 2022. The couple traveled and cruised extensively as well as enjoyed numerous bus trips at Holiday City South which Valerie coordinated.

Fred will forever be remembered for his benevolence, wisdom, and love for family, but also for pasta, his favorite course at any meal, including Thanksgiving, and his ability to be a great raconteur. His absolute lack of complaints despite the many challenges in his life will always remain an inspiration to his family.

Fred is survived by one daughter, Karyn DiPietro, his grandson, Drew and his wife Stella, and the many nieces and nephews who will forever revere his memory. In a letter he wrote to the family shortly before his death, Fred shared individual and private memories with each of the nieces and nephews who were always an important part of his life. He especially thanked his Godson, Bob, for the loving care he gave him since Valerie’s death, and acting as his chief cook, shopper, law advisor and close friend.

In addition to his daughter and grandson, other surviving family members include nieces Carol and Joe Pasquale, Frances Mesagno and her husband Jack, Kathy Keehn and her husband David, Pam Semmel and husband Mike, Roxanne and her husband Andrew, and Beth Palamara; nephews Alan Palamara and wife Dottie, David Palamara, Dean Palamara and partner Mary Thornton- Webb, Bob Palamara and his partner Janet Leitner, George Palamara and wife Ginger and Paul Palamara and his wife Maria, as well as his cousin Joe and his wife Janice. Fred also loved and leaves behind all the children of his nieces and nephews, their children and grandchildren, the younger generations who all made him smile and laugh and continue the Palamara tradition of love, family and giving to others. He also leaves numerous friends and those who have learned from his wisdom, too many to mention but none to be forgotten.

The family knows Fred is continuing the party in heaven with the two loves of his life , Madeline and Valerie, his parents, as well as his brothers Tony, Al, Joe and Geroge, and his son-in-law Joe, together with the numerous friends and those who have learned from him; too many to mention but never to be forgotten.

A visitation for Fred will be held Sunday, January 28 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Quinn Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Road, Toms River. A service will occur Monday, January 29, at 12:30 PM at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Chapel, 350 Province Line Road, Wrightstown, NJ. The interment will be completed by the Cemetery within 48 hours from the service, beside his beloved Madeline Section L – Grave 20.