Richard Palazzi (88) of Hamilton, NJ passed away on Friday November 7, 2025 at RWJ Hospital.

Born and raised in Middlesex NJ until he entered and served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict at 18 years of age. He was a boxer in the Navy and an avid sports fan.  He met his future wife Linda when he was honorably discharged, got married, and welcomed their daughter Pamela in 1960. They settled in South Plainfield in his wife’s childhood home in 1971.  

His career journey saw him become a First Class Machinist for the next 45 years.  He personally made an instrumental piece (for the cooling system) for one of the Apollo Spacecrafts.  After retirement, he moved from South Plainfield NJ to Hamilton NJ.  

Rich was active in the Senior Center and with the singing group “The Hamiltonians”.  He attended many social events, dance classes and performed with the Hamiltonians at nursing homes, the senior center and private and military events.  He enjoyed playing pool, bowling, playing poker weekly with “the guys”, horse racing, boxing, football, baseball and spending time with friends and family.  His newest interests were cooking & gardening.  He was known for his quick wit, his humor and most of all, his kindness to all. 

He was predeceased 2010 by his beloved wife of 50 years Linda (Kerber) Palazzi of South Plainfield, NJ; father, Vincent; mother, Renalda and brothers, Frank (Virginia),  Olindo (Mary) Louis (Bernice) Robert, Vincent, Victor (Betty) and sister Dorothy (Joseph).

He is survived by his daughter Pamela Palazzi of Kitty Hawk, NC; brother Eugene Palazzi (Debbie) of Southampton Twsp; his loving companion of the past 6 years, Donna Chmara of Hamilton NJ and numerous nieces & nephews.  

A memorial gathering will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 10:00am to 12:00pm in the McCriskin – Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue South Plainfield NJ 07080.  Entombemnt will follow in Holy Redeemer Cemetery, South Plainfield.

Memorial donations can be sent to the Veteran’s Admintration’s Donation Portal (online).

The Palazzi Family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to RWJ- Hamilton Hospice.