The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Michael Louis Palumbo Jr. recieves hero’s burial
Palumbo, who lost is his battle with cancer May 24, was the crusader behind the law that now bears his name.
Approximately 750 family members, friends and firefighters filled the Immaculate Conception Church, 37932 Euclid Ave., in Willoughby to pay their respects and say their final farewells to local hero and firefighter Captain Michael Louis Palumbo Jr.
Palumbo, who lost is his battle with glioblastoma multiforme — a very aggressive form of brain cancer with no known cure — on May 24, was the crusader behind the law that now bears his name. The Michael Louis Palumbo Jr. Act now allows firefighters diagnosed with presumptive occupational cancer to file workers compensation claims.
“As we lay Michael to rest today, his legacy which he left in the fire service will carry on forever,” Lt. Bill Masstroianni of Euclid Fire Department said. “Michael become the face of Senate Bill 27, and his determination and selflessness in getting this legislation passed will continue to protect fire fighters and their families against this dreaded occupational and deadly disease for decades to come.”
Palumbo leaves behind his wife Christina and five childern who range inage from eight to 21.
Palumbo received a firefighter’s burial that started with a processional from The Immaculate Conception Church to All Souls Cemetery, 10366 Chardon Rd. in Chardon. The processional included fire trucks from the two stations he spent he his career at: Beachwood and Willowick. Upon Arrival at the cemetery, the procession, which also included school buses from local school districts to transport the many firefighters in attendance, entered the cemetery gates under the American flag, which hung from a set of crossed ladders formed by the trucks of Chardon and Mayfield Heights Fire departments. Along the processional route, fire departments brought out their trucks and raised their ladders in a final salute to Palumbo.
After the burial, a service bell was rang by a fellow firefighter to honor the end of Palumbo’s watch.
Willowick Mayor Rich Regovich, who grew up with Palumbo, described him as a good man.
“He was an all around great father, friend and coworker,” Regovich said. “He was a leader, and we are missing a really good guy.”
Chief Patrick Kearne of Beachwood Fire Department described Palumbo as Mr. Dependable and was amazed by all the support the family and the city received.
“Mike was dependable and had very high moral character, and I could trust him with anything,” Kearne said. “It’s a huge loss to our department, and he will be sorely missed.”
Frank Gaglione, a retired firefighter for the Beachwood Fire Department, worked with Palumbo the entire 25 years he was there. He recalled being at Palumbo’s wedding and being there when his children were born.
“Mike was honest and sincere, and he always looked out for every body, not just one person,” Gaglione said. “He was always a fair boss, and he always listened to every body, and he loved his family more than anything.”
Bill Malovrh, a firefighter and paramedic with both Willowick and Mentor, described Palumbo as a shining example of a father, husband and family man.
He was a great friend to many, and a leader and mentor who is going to be missed, Malovrh said. Malovrh also noted that the goal now was to make sure the family was taken care of.
Immediately following the Mass and the burial service, the announcement went out over the radios to notify all of the local fire departments that the final alarm had sounded for Palumbo and his watch was now over.