Obituary of Richard Palumbo, Sr.

Richard J. Palumbo, Sr. died Friday May 11th at St. Peter's University Medical Center, New Brunswick after a long battle with cancer. He was 67 years old. Born in New Brunswick, he was a lifelong resident of Jamesburg, and a graduate of Jamesburg High School. While there, he played for Coach Richard Matteo's All Star soccer team, and was awarded All State honors. He also was an outstanding baseball player, and signed a major league contract with the Cleveland Indians. Upon returning home, he played in the highly competitive Middlesex County Men's Baseball league for many years. He worked at BASF Corp. in South Brunswick for 30 years as a training supervisor, retiring in 2000. He was a longtime member of the Jamesburg Elks #2180, and was awarded Elk of the Year honors for his active participation as House Committee member and bar tender for many years, serving as the Father's Day Breakfast chairman, and generally pitching in where ever needed at the Lenten Fish Frys. He also enjoyed golf, fishing in Florida and gardening. Surviving are his wife of 45 years, Linda M. (Dunfee), two sons, Richard J. Jr., and Kevin, both of Jamesburg, a daughter, Christine Kelly, her husband, Sean , and the "apple of his eye" all of Middletown, a sister, Mimi Schwenzer of Maine, two brothers, Jack and his wife, Betty of Manchester Twp., and Nick of Maine, and many nieces and nephews. Private cremation services were at the convenience of the family under the supervision of the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, Monroe Twp. A memorial service will be held on Saturday June 9th at 3PM at the Jamesburg Elks Lodge #2180, West Railroad Ave., Jamesburg, NJ. Memorial contributions may be made to the Handicapped Children's Fund at the Jamesburg Elks.