1923 - 2024
OBITUARY
Vincent James DePalo passed away peacefully on Memorial Day, May 27, 2024.
Vincent, who went by the name Jim, was born on August 3, 1923 in the Bronx, New York. He was the son of Italian immigrants Joseph and Frances DePalo, maiden name of Lupo.
At the time of his death Jim was 100+ years old.
Jim grew up in the Bronx. He was in every sense of the word an accomplished person. He lived a life devoted to his wife, family and friends.
At eighteen years of age he enlisted in the Army Air Corp. He flew 47 missions on a B-24 bomber as a fight engineer in WWII. He was the only member of his flight crew to survive the war. For his service to our country Jim received the following medals; Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 Stars, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, European-Africian-Middle Eastern Service Medal with 4 Stars, as well as three Presidential Unit Citations. When he came home after the war he was assigned to train other flight engineers. Upon returning from the war there were no accolades, no parades, no pat on the back. The nation and your family will be forever grateful to Tech Sergeant Vincent DePalo, Dad, Uncle Jimmy, Grandpa, Great Grandpa, and friend for your sacrifice and service to our country.
After the war he met the love of his life, Mary Florence Hanley, affectionately known as Flo. They were married for 76 years. Florence herself was not only the love of his life, but the strength behind the man. Florence passed last year at the age of 94. It broke Dad’s heart that mom passed first. In his words “That wasn’t the plan”! Together they raised 4 children. While Flo was a stay at home mother she was the backbone of the family. Family dinners were always something to look forward to as Flo was an excellent cook. Jim graduated college with an Electrical Engineering degree from Pratt University and a Masters of Engineering from The Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. He worked his way up the ladder to a managerial position at a company called PRD. People who worked for Jim had great respect for him and thought of him as the ultimate boss.
Jim loved music and playing the Saxophone. About 30 years ago he started the Jim DePalo Big Band. The many musicians who have played in the band over the years loved and respected him. Some credit him for renewing their joy of music after years away from it. The Jim DePalo Jazz Band was known for playing music of the great Big Band era to the delight of many people on Long Island.
Jim and Flo are survived by a loving family and many friends. Their children Joe, Linda, Jim and Steve will forever be grateful for their parents' love and support throughout their lives. Daughters-in-Laws Mary Lou and Sue were for all sense and purpose two more of their children. Flo and Jim had 4 loving grandchildren, Anthony, Kate, Heather and David. They were lucky in their lives to have met, shared meals and played with their great grandchildren Vincent, Brooks, Davis, Frankie, Odin, Artemis, Preston, Calvin and another soon to join the family. Memories of their Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother will forever be ingrained in their lives. They are survived by many nieces and nephews who were dear to them. Chris Bogdan, Georgie Stern and John DePalo were very special to Flo and Jim. As children they spent many holidays and weekends together enjoying their hospitality and love.The family would like to thank their many friends for the love shown to both Jim and Flo throughout the years. Special thanks to Joyce, Tom and Christine Galvin and Teresa Gatto.
VISITATION
Thursday, June 13
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM & 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
New Hyde Park Funeral Home
506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY
FUNERAL MASS
Friday, June 14
9:30 AM
Holy Spirit R.C. Church
500 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY
INTERMENT
Long Island National Cemetery
2040 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY