Basil “Skip” Palmeri was born just prior to World War II on January 19, 1937 into a family of Italian immigrants in a tiny apartment in Astoria, Queens. Little did that small family of first-generation Americans know, that little boy, who they referred to as “my dear Bubby” on the back of countless black and white photos, would grow to be a shining example of the American dream and the patriarch of an incredible, if not vociferous, dynasty of Long Island-based, pizza-fueled Palmeris. On January 25, 1958 Skip married the love of his life, Helen, who quickly took on the title of “Mom” only to later accept a promotion to “Nanny” a few decades later. Upon transitioning to her new role, it was clear to the organization that she was the right person for the job – one which she dutifully and lovingly carried out until her passing on August 9, 2019. Together, Skip and Helen had four boys: Basil, Joseph, Robert and Kevin – a financial entrepreneur, a veterinarian, a CFO and a lawyer, respectively.

Skip wore many hats during the life he shared with Helen. He served Hicksville High School as an English teacher and later (and perhaps more notoriously) as dean of discipline. Skip retired at 83 years young, after 60 years of teaching, making him Nassau County’s longest tenured educator on record. Whether editing famed St. Anthony’s basketball coach Gus Alferi’s book or teaching English at the Nassau County Police Academy to afford to feed four voracious teenage athletes, one of the most significant roles Skip fulfilled was that of “Pop-pop” to fourteen loving grandchildren and one enamored, mohawk-rocking, great grandson. On October 7, 2024 Pop-Pop was welcomed home by a waiting cavalcade of friends and family including his beloved wife Helen, his sister Rosemary and her husband Jack Siegel, his brothers- and sisters-in-law Mike and Irene Mehern and Phillip and Catherine Bova, and his nephew, Jimmy Mehern. During his final months, Pop-Pop was lovingly cared for by Gerard McCormick who ensured he was comfortable and well taken care of – a post he dutifully executed with love, kindness and commitment of the highest order.

During the days leading up to and following Pop-Pop’s passing, it was clear how much of an impact he had not only on his family but also on the staff and residents of the Bristal in East Northport, where he resided. Staff members frequently visited his room to check on him and the rest of his family, offering support and sending their love for a man they had known for only a few short years. The takeaway here, and Pop-Pop’s final lesson to all of us: treat everybody you meet with kindness, patience and respect because it’s the right thing to do and not because someone is watching. Skip is the son of Millie and Anthony Palmeri; the brother of Rosemary Siegel; the husband of Helen “Nanny” Palmeri; the father of Basil, Joseph, Robert, Kevin and their wives, and Pop-Pop of fourteen grandchildren, numerous endearing nieces and nephews, one great grandson and anyone he ever met who needed a hug, help reading, or words of encouragement. FORTES IN UNITATE!