Anthony Palazzolo

Celebrating the Life of Anthony (Tony) Palazzolo Born on February 18th, 1939 to the late Antonio & Grace (nee Consiglio) Palazzolo, Anthony Palazzolo was baptized into the life of Christ at Little Flower Catholic Church in Richmond Heights, MO on March 19th, 1939. The son of an Italian immigrant father and first generation Italian American mother, Anthony was raised along with 5 siblings in a large extended-family home that epitomized both love of family and love of God. This loving family environment was the key foundation for Tony's decision, after graduation from Mercy High School, to enter the Archdiocese of St. Louis seminary to discern a vocation to the priesthood. After completing eight years of study in Philosophy & Theology at Cardinal Glennon College and Kenrick Seminary, Cardinal Joseph Ritter conferred the Sacrament of Holy Orders upon Anthony on April 3rd, 1965 at St. Louis Priory Church, ordaining him to the priestly orders of the Roman Catholic Church. For the next 25 years, Anthony was affectionately known to those closest to him as "Fr. Tony". Fr. Palazzolo's priestly vocation included earning a Master's Degree in Theology from the University of Notre Dame, a six-month sabbatical in Rome, Italy, and ministerial assignments at the following parishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis: St. Casmir (Hathaway Manor), Sts. John & James (Ferguson), St. Aloysius (Spanish Lake), Our Lady of Good Counsel (Bellefontaine Neighbors), Our Lady of Providence (Crestwood), St. Michael Archangel (Shrewsbury), and finally as Pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, the home parish of the Catholic Italian community in St. Louis, MO. In addition to his parish ministry, Fr. Tony loved teaching young Catholics and providing them with a practical formation and foundation for life as faithful Catholic adults in their chosen vocations. Throughout his ministry, Fr. Tony taught religion and coached soccer to hundreds of dedicated students at Rosary High School and Bishop DuBourg High School, including leading his teams to Missouri State Soccer Championships. In 1990, Tony left active ministry and began the final phase of his remarkable life. After being approved for Laicization by the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Tony married Cynthia Murphy (nee Eber), and together they began their family life together raising three loving children, Robert, Jamie, and Grace, as he continued his teaching career at Althoff High School in Belleville, IL until retiring from Gibault High School in Waterloo IL in 2006. Wherever he went, he continued to touch people with his humility, kindness, and love. A loving husband, father, brother, uncle, & great uncle, Tony has influenced innumerable lives, particularly of our impressionable youth, with his love of life. After a brief illness and reception final sacrament of Mother Church, Tony died peacefully at home surrounded by those he loved on Thursday, April 28, 2016, and went to his home of Eternal Rest. The world is a better place because of his presence in it and we are all blessed to have known him as family and friend. Thank you Tony and God bless you! May 2, 2016
03:00 pm - 09:00 pm
John L. Ziegenhein & Sons
7027 Gravois Ave., St. Louis, MO 63116
May 3, 2016
10:00 am - 11:00 am
St. Ambrose Catholic Church
5110 Wilson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110