Francis P. Palmieri

Mr. Francis P. Palmieri, 91, formerly of Utica and New Hartford, passed away in the comfort of his home with his family at his side, on April 23, 2018.

Frannie was born December 30, 1926, in Utica, the son of the late Nicola and Marietta Vitullo Palmieri.  He was raised and educated locally and graduated from T.R. Proctor High School in 1946, upon his return from service in the Army Air Corps at the end of WWII.

He wed the love of his life, Georgienne Holtberg, on April 14, 1951 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, in Utica, a blessed union of 67 years.

A master carpenter for 65 years, Fran spent the majority of his professional career in partnership with Mario and Renato Roefaro, constructing and repairing homes and businesses throughout the greater Utica area and building a friendship that has endured over 70 years.

Frannie’s greatest love was time spent with family.  Dining and holidays with Fran and George were joyous and memorable occasions, with nobody enjoying the meals more than Fran. He relished sitting at the holiday table, skillfully telling his stories and jokes, and laughing harder than anyone else.

He enthusiastically traveled and attended his children and grandchildren's sporting events, no matter how great the distance; everyone considered him their biggest fan.  A skilled handicapper, he loved spending hours contemplating the best horse for his $1.00 bets.  Frannie truly enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid skier, hunter, angler and sports fan and he never missed an opportunity to enjoy an activity with family or friends.  He was a member of Saint John the Evangelist Church, New Hartford, and Tau Phi Zeta Fraternity, Utica.

Frannie is survived by his wife, Georgienne; daughter and son and their spouses, Debra and Philip Brockway, New Hartford, and Nicholas and Amy Palmieri, Clinton; six grandchildren, Adrienne and David Handelman, Chicago, IL; Nicole Brockway, New Hartford; Caitlin Palmieri, Durham, NC; Adam Brockway, Utica; Nick Palmieri and Jack Palmieri, Clinton; two great-grandchildren, Amelia and Thomas Handelman, Chicago; and a sister and brother-in-law, Lyda and Ralph Scalzo.  He leaves special cousins, Florio and Rosemarie Vitullo and Angela Guiliani; life-long friends, Anthony and Teresa Scalzo and family; and other close friends, too numerous to name.

Fran was predeceased by a sister and brother-in-law, Vera and Salvatore Aiello, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gloria and Nunzio Argento.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 27, 2018, at 10:30 a.m., at Saint John the Evangelist Church, 66 Oxford Rd, New Hartford, NY. There are no public calling hours and the family will receive friends at the conclusion of mass. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum at the convenience of the family. Special thanks to Dr. Naji EL-Khoury for his compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Jude Children's Hospital or to the Boys Town USA of Omaha NE; envelops will be available at church.