Marple Friends & Neighbors is pleased to introduce you to The Palermo Family: Nick, Dante, Gabe, Nico and Mia. Their family’s story is one of loss, love, hope, resilience and a deep appreciation for family.Nick was born and raised in the Overbrook Park section of West Philadelphia. He grew up with his loving parents and younger sister, Maria. Nick attended St. Donato School and graduated from West Catholic High School, where he played baseball and hockey.
After graduation, Nick learned the trade of Heating and Air Conditioning at Philadelphia Wireless and became a certified technician. “I’m a worker,” he explained. “I have had various jobs since I was 13 years old, from bricklaying to landscaping to total room remodels; I’ve done it all.” Nick said that he has always had a lot of energy, and channeling that into all types of hands-on craftsmanship has served him well.
Today, you’ll find Nick at Beatty Lumber and Millwork Company, where he is in the outside sales department, helping contractors, customers, builders and homeowners with their construction, renovation and addition projects. “I began as a yard worker in 1997 and worked my way up through the company,” Nick said. “I love what I do and look forward to growing as a sales professional and serving my customers in the lumber and millwork industry.”
Nick said that he and Marisa met in 1994, moved to Broomall in 1999, and married in October 2000. “Marisa grew up in Broomall with her parents, brother and five sisters,” he said. “She came from a very close-knit family, and she wanted to raise her own children in Broomall, surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.” They were happy to find the perfect home, and over the course of 11 years, Marisa and Nick welcomed four beautiful children into their family.
Sadly, Marisa passed away unexpectedly in January 2014. “I didn’t just love Marisa,” Nick said. “I absolutely adored her.” He described Marisa as a beautiful, kind, loving and caring mother to Dante, Gabe, Nico and Mia. She was also fiercely loyal to her family, friends and St. Anastasia’s church family. She was a beloved cheerleading coach and devoted friend.
January 29th marked ten years since Marisa passed. “It is so hard to believe that the kids and I have made it to this point,” Nick said. “It’s a surreal feeling. I am proud of how far we have come and will forever be grateful to our families and friends who have never wavered in their love and support.”
Nick said that every year on the anniversary of her death, he and the kids visit Marisa’s gravesite, bring donuts, send a balloon to heaven and recall fond memories of their mom.
Dante is Nick and Marisa’s oldest son. He was 11 years old when he lost his mom. Life may have thrown Dante a major curveball, but he has handled the adversity with grit and grace. “I cannot tell you how proud I am of Dante,” remarked Nick. “He will be graduating from West Chester University
this spring with a degree in Marketing and a minor in Digital Marketing.” Dante plans to begin a career in sales after graduation and hopes to start his own company someday.
Nick described Dante as conscientious and disciplined, his right-hand man and the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time). He has been an incredible role model to his brothers and his sister and works hard every day, not just in school but on his physical and mental well-being. Dante enjoys working out at the gym, playing golf and doing offshore fishing with his dad in Ocean City, MD.
Gabe and Nico are Marisa and Nick’s twin boys who are active seventh graders at St. Anastasia. Gabe was quick to point out that he is older than Nico by a minute and a half, and Nico was happy to report that although he may be younger, he’s taller than his brother!
Both boys love sports and playing video games, but they also have separate interests. “Gabe is very artistic, and Nico loves all kinds of music,” Nick said. When asked what they want to do when they are older, Gabe said he would like to attend art school, while Nico has his sights set on a point guard position in the NBA.
10-year-old Mia is Marisa and Nick’s youngest. She is in fourth grade at St. Anastasia and loves cheerleading, gymnastics and softball. Mia said she also likes to draw and especially loves to draw sunsets. Her favorite subjects in school are math, reading and social studies.
“Mia is courageous, resilient and warm,” Nick said. “She and I often spend time taking walks together with our puppy.” Mia has a good heart and has a soft spot for animals. In fact, she said that someday she would like to be a veterinarian.
Perhaps Mia’s love for animals was spurred on by the addition of the newest member of the Palermo family: Xena. “The kids begged me for the longest time to get a puppy, but I had my reservations,” Nick laughed. “We’ve had her for a little over a year now, and it’s funny, I can’t imagine life without her!”
Xena is a very energetic German Short-Haired Pointer who keeps Nick and the kids on their toes. “Like all puppies, Xena needed to be trained, and Mia took that job very seriously,” Nick said. “Now I’ve come to realize that Xena feeds off the energy in our home, and knowing that helps me calm my boundless energy and lower my voice. I can’t help it. I’m Italian!”
And speaking of being Italian, Nick said that being surrounded by so many family members has made all the difference in their lives. “My sister Maria and her family live close by and my mother-in-law, Mamma Jean, lives within walking distance,” he said. Nick and the kids are also surrounded by Marisa’s siblings and their families. “My sisters-in-law, Amy, Natalie, Elaina, Carla and Sara, and my brother-in-law, Lou, are also nearby and have always been there for me and my children.”
The Palermo’s have a family motto: Keep moving forward. “The kids and I have been through a lot together,” Nick said. “We miss Marisa terribly, but we make the commitment every day to continue moving forward with gratitude for what we have, which is a loving family and a tremendous support system.”
Nick also extended his gratitude to our wonderful community, his boss at Beatty Lumber and Millwork, Eric Tucker and his colleagues. He said that when Marisa passed away, friends, family and even strangers gathered in support and held a fundraiser for him and the kids, and his employer
generously allowed Nick the opportunity to get back on his feet. “I will never be able to thank everyone enough for their support and generosity,” he said. “It will always be appreciated and remembered.”
Thank you, Nick, Dante, Gabe, Nico and Mia, for sharing your story. May you “Keep Moving Forward” and continue to inspire us all to love, laugh and live a little more each day.
Do you know a Marple family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Holly Stupak at HStupak@BestVersionMedia.com.