PALUMBO, Silvestro
April 13, 1936 – July 12, 2024
Sil Palumbo lived with the heart of a lion but sadly his heart finally stopped and he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 12, 2024 in the Critical Care Trauma Centre at Victoria Hospital, London Ontario at the age of 88.
Sil immigrated from San Bartolomeo in Galdo, Italy to Kingston, Canada when he was 19. He craved adventure and opportunities outside of his village and his expected life as a farmer. Like his father, he loved working with his hands, so he became a master bricklayer. He went back to Italy and met and married the love of his life and best friend, Tina, in 1961. They relocated to London Ontario to create the family they both wanted.
Sil’s primary life goal was to provide for his family, and he loved to work hard and was a focused and tenacious businessperson. He started S. Palumbo Construction Ltd., growing it into a leading masonry business. He progressed from bricklaying to house builder to developing a premium standard for condo bungalows and creating a reputation for quality through PALUMBO HOMES and Palumbo Developments. He loved satisfying his clients by customizing their homes. Recently, he told his family that, for him, nothing was sweeter than the smell of mortar and the feel of a brick in his hands.
Sil loved travelling, race cars, boxing and playing cards but mostly, playing and watching golf. He insisted on a very sharp pencil to keep a “proper” score during his golf round, and he loved 3-foot gimmee putts! This love that he developed in middle-age motivated him, along with 7 other partners, to develop West Haven Golf and Country Club in London and enjoy his golf passion with the members. His short game under 100 yards was admired by all. He was still yelling for more cart paths so he could play on wet days in his cart!
Sil was a “straight shooter” and was a stern, direct, tough negotiator as you must be in the construction business and yet, he was a charmer with everyone he met. He was a strong-willed, independent, self-made man with a big heart that supported many charitable events and was very proud of the achievements of Residenza Affordable Housing (formerly Italian Seniors Project). This charitable non-profit developed communities at Residenza Italia and Residenza Ortona on Hamilton Road in London and about to build Residenza Victoria in Soho community. He enjoyed immensely being 1 of the 11 London Italo-Canadian Board members that created these affordable apartments for those in need in London.
Sil loved to dance starting with a 3-day dance marathon when he was 17 and finally in later years dancing with partners twirling them around Marconi Club’s dance floor. Sil loved to create unique fireplaces which he considered an artform and he completed all work with precision and flair. He enjoyed his homemade wine and regaling his kids and grandkids about the proper way to live. He loved wintering the 15 years before the pandemic in Zihuatanejo, Mexico with Tina. He also loved his golf getaways with friends. He enjoyed when people thought he looked 20 years younger than he was and would tell everyone his age.
Sil will be dearly missed by his beloved wife of 63 years, Tina, and his 3 children and their spouses, Lorenzo (Maria) Palumbo, Rita (Enrico) Sgromo and Marco (Rosa) Palumbo. He will be missed as Nonno by his 6 grandchildren, Emily, Alicia (Doug), Adriana (Jack), Francesca, Sophia and Luca. He was very proud of all of their educational achievements. Will also be missed by his sister-in-law, Marisa Cifelli and her husband Dr. Angelo Orlacchio of San Bartolomeo and their children, Dr. Armando (Sabrina) Orlacchio of Trento and Rosella (Carmine) Orlacchio of Foggia, Italia.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to the nurses, doctors and staff in the CCTC at Victoria Hospital for their compassionate care.
Visitation at Donohue Funeral Home, 362 Waterloo Street, London ON: Mon. July 15- 6 to 8pm, Tues. July 16 – 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm.
Catholic Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 345 Lyle Street, London ON at 11am on Wed. July 17 followed by entombment in Holy Family Mausoleum at St. Peter’s Cemetery, 806 Victoria Street, London ON Canada.
Please no flowers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation (https://www.heartandstroke.ca/donations), Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (https://mscanada.donorportal.ca), and/or Residenza Affordable Housing (https://residenza.ca/donate/ )
