Santo Palmeri

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Santo Palmeri. He departed this world on April 3, 2026, at the age of 76. Born on April 16, 1949, in Lucca Sicula, Sicily, to the late Liberante Palmeri and Sebastiana Bessie Bellitti. He leaves behind a legacy of love and dedication that will be cherished by all who knew him. Santo’s passing leaves a void that can never be filled, but his spirit will live on in the memories of those who were fortunate enough to know him. He is survived by his devoted wife Francesca; daughters, Rita (Neil) Ohrdorf, and Claudia (Clete) Zakrzewski; grandchildren, Larissa, Kira, Dante and Danica; brother, Rosario Palmeri and Diana with their children, Dorinda (Vince), Marco and Nellie and their children, Liliana, Vincent and Kennedi. Santo is preceded in death by sister, Anna (Tony) Costanza. While we celebrate the wonderful life and successes that Santo achieved, we must remember the hardships he endured growing up in a small village in Sicily. When Santo was just 8 years old, his father passed away. He and his siblings were sent to an orphanage, as his widowed mother was unable to support three children in the difficult conditions that existed in Sicily at the time. Later, being the eldest son, he had to work to support his mother and siblings for many years. As a young man, he stayed in Sicily until he received his welding certificate and then moved to Germany, where there were better opportunities for work. While in Germany, he continued to send money to support his family. This theme of supporting family and striving for a better life would continue throughout his life. In 1970, Santo married the love of his life, Francesca, with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. Together, they built a life filled with love and shared dreams. Their daughters were born in Germany, and while raising them there and in Italy, they decided to move the family to the United States. His strong belief and ambition for his children was to provide them with an opportunity to receive an education and become self-sufficient. He believed the best place to do this was the United States. In 1979, they all immigrated to Pueblo, Colorado. Starting off in a new country brought many adversities, but with Santo and Francesca's incredible work ethic and resilience, their dreams for their daughters became a reality. Santo built a life from the ground up through determination and tireless work. While still in the trades as a welder and machinist, he saw a bigger opportunity. In 1983, he started his first investment by buying an apartment complex. He was a jack of all trades and taught himself to remodel and maintain his properties. He continued his full-time job all the while buying more investments over the years. If you saw Santo, you knew he was carrying a hammer and tools, always ready to fix anything. His passion for keeping his properties perfect was undeniable. You could say he was a carpenter, a handyman, and a genius at coming up with thoughtful and thrifty ways to fix anything. If you needed anything repaired or constructed, he would lend a hand. If you saw any of his repairs, you would see that he left a mark of pride on everything he touched. As we say goodbye to Santo, we remember a man who lived life to the fullest, with a heart full of love and a tireless spirit that inspired everyone around him. He found joy in life’s simple yet meaningful moments, watching hockey games and never missing a soccer match, especially when Italy was playing! To his grandchildren, he was Nonno. He took great pride in attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and awards assemblies, always showing up to support them and cheer them on. If you thought he went above and beyond for his own daughters, Nonno spoiled his grandchildren even more. He loved playing card games and poker with them, creating moments filled with laughter, competition, and lasting memories that his grandchildren will always carry with them. Some of the greatest memories were made on his annual trips to Glenwood Hot Springs. For anyone who truly knew Nonno, you would know that he was not fond of swimming or being cold! But for those kids, he would happily soak in the hot pools anyway. At home, he loved gathering everyone around the table for his home-cooked meals. Cooking was one of the many ways he showed his love, bringing family together and making sure no one ever left the table hungry. He also enjoyed following the stock market, making his own trades, and keeping up with financial news as he searched for the next opportunity. He couldn't stop talking to everyone about stocks! He was a man of many interests and talents, and if you spent any time with him, he always had a story worth telling. May his soul rest in eternal peace “Santo Angelo Mio”, and may his legacy live on through all who knew and loved him. He lived a beautiful, humble, and hardworking life, built on love and endless support for his family, ultimately living the American Dream.

Santo Palmeri

April 16, 1949 - April 3, 2026