Darwin Palmiere

Darwin "Rocky" Palmiere spent 92 years of his life, May 16, 1927 to May 14, 2019, nurturing 3 separate families, with loving wives Shirley, then Liz, then Sharon, all of whom predeceased him. His life was filled with relatives and wonderful friends. He is survived by 10 children (Palmiere, Hunt, Sykes-Zitkovic, Lenhard, Kreckman) and many who considered him a kind and generous grandfather.

Born in Rochester, NY, he and his brother Irving worked in their family's grocery store, "Dad's" at 38 Stonewood Ave. In 1945, Darwin graduated from Charlotte High and joined the Navy, where he trained as a radioman. Once home, he chose a career in health care so he could help others in need, starting as a social work caseworker in Cincinnati, and later teaching public health economics and community health programming. He ascended to professor at the University of Michigan, earned a Ph.D. from Brandeis, and in 1971 became the Dean of Human Services at SUNY Brockport. Darwin was a member of the Monroe Country Board of Health from 1977 to 1989, and chaired many national and state public health committees, always trying to protect as many of us as he could. After retirement, Darwin helped to maintain the Charlotte High School archives and the restoration of historic paintings in the school. In private life, Darwin enjoyed outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, and gardening. Singing around the campfire created many happy memories which he retained even after Alzheimer's disease took hold.

Memorial donations can be made to help find a cure for Alzheimers or to Heifer International at heifer.org.

Visitation at New Comer Funeral Home, 2636 Ridgeway Ave., Rochester NY 14626 on Friday, May 24, 4 - 7 p.m.

Memorial Service at 10 a.m. Saturday May 25 at Pearce Church, 4322 Buffalo Road. North Chili.


Memorial for Darwin Palmiere by Step - daughter Lizette Lenhard.

Darwin took over as my daily father figure when he and my mother, Liz Fitzpatrick, his high school sweetheart, were reunited in 1969. I was just 8 years old. As a highly educated man, he was always kind, supportive and level-headed, and focused on teaching me and my younger brother Gil how to become intelligent and respectable human beings. I like to believe he succeeded.
I feel blessed that he was my "life coach" as I grew into adulthood. He was always a gentle, loving, forgiving man, not one to speak critically about others. He was not one to get angry or yell or argue. My memories of growing up with him as my father are happy ones. Gardening in the backyard, riding in his one-of-a-kind blue station wagon turned pickup truck after a large branch crushed the rear top. Sunday drives and dinner with his mother, singing all kinds of songs on the way. He loved to sing, especially in the car! A couple favorites were "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and "Three Little Fishies."
Always a caregiver, I watched him lovingly tend to his father Joe and mother Rena as they aged, as well as numerous other relatives over the years, including his third wife Sharon, for as long as he was able. He was an excellent caring father to me as well.
Education was top priority to Dad. Thanks to his persuasion, my mom, Gil, and I all received college degrees.
When it came to money, we had to earn it, as we were often reminded it didn't grow on trees. He and my mom made my brother and I do household chores for our weekly allowance, and taught us how to save and spend our own money for the things we wanted.
We had lots of fun as well. I remember playing many board games as a family, and even being taught how to play pinochle with all the adults!
Now Dad did make a few mistakes in his life. I think the worst was when he decided it would be a great idea to take a 2-week family vacation with a 10-, 13- and 18-year-old, a total of 5 people packed into a sedan, towing a pop-up camper, driving and camping all the way from New York to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and back. Oh the stories I could tell if I had the time! Cory and I will never forget those adventures we shared together, and I am sure Dad never did either, but for very different reasons!
Though I was too young to fully understand his public health care profession, I recall that there were 2 very important things he accomplished. First, he indirectly protected millions of people by working on the New York Clean Air Act Commission on Smoking and Health in the 1990s, paving the way so that we no longer have to inhale poisonous secondhand cigarette smoke as we eat, work and play every day, in most states.
Second, he persuaded "the powers that were" to add fluoride to the drinking water, which significantly reduced dental disease. While most of my teeth are held together with metal fillings from the 70s, which I am now told all need to be replaced, I recently asked my 33-year-old niece how many fillings she had and her answer was "NONE." My heavily leaded bottom jaw dropped open as she told me this unbelievable number. All thanks to my Dad!
Darwin was a husband to 3 wives, a father to 10 children, a caregiver and good friend to dozens, and a protector of health and well-being for millions who never personally knew him. Today, extensions of Darwin's families are living in every corner of the US – California, Wyoming, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Michigan, Massachusetts, New York & Pennsylvania. His granddaughter Katherine is even living in London, England! I feel very fortunate that I was a part of his 92 years of life on this earth.
So thanks Dad, for everything you did in your lifetime. I love you and will certainly miss your toothy grin!
Proud to be your daughter always, Lizette
May 14, 2019