Obituary of Richard T. Palo

May 12, 2009 Richard Thomas Palo, age 57, of Newtown, retired Director of the Occupational Safety and Health for the CONN-OSHA Division, died unexpectedly Tuesday, May 12, 2009 after a brief battle with cancer. Born in Bridgeport, he was the son of the late John and Irene Sterback Palo, and was a Newtown Resident for 30 years. He graduated from Trumbull High School, achieved a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry from the University of Bridgeport, and a Masters in Health Science from Quinnipiac University. Mr. Palo, a Certified Industrial Hygienist, was formerly a member of the CT Safety Society and served as president of that organization in 1991. He was named man of the year by the CT Safety Society Inc. in 1992, and was recently awarded an On-site Consultation Achievement Recognition Award (OSCAR) in 2007. Mr. Palo was a member of the Board of Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association (OSHPA), a member of the Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency (CIRMA), and was also a board certified member of the AIHA. Mr. Palo worked for General Electric Health and Safety for 10 years prior to working for CONN-OSHA. He worked for CONN-OSHA for 23 years, and has served as Director for the last seven. Mr. Palo is survived by his beloved wife, Beverly Marie Gierzadowicz Palo, his children, Todd A. of New York, NY, Kyle A. of Newtown, CT, and Meridith A. of the USCGA, a brother David C. Palo of Long Island, NY, a sister-in-law, Noreen Rooney and her husband James and their children Dylan and Colin of Easton. He is also survived by his nightly companion Sadie Palo, as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins. An avid sports fan, Mr. Palo for years supported his childrens efforts by volunteering with Newtown Babe Ruth baseball, Newtown youth soccer, and Newtown basketball. He was an ardent fan of UCONN basketball and sport fishing. Richard and his wife would often escape to Cape Cod, Massachusetts where he was quite fond of deep sea sport fishing and a warm bowl of clam chowder. An adored husband, a heroic father, and a loving son, Richard T. Palo, will truly be missed. Funeral Information Friends may call on Monday, May 18, 2009 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. Friends are invited to meet directly in St. Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd., Newtown on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Yale University School of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery, Attn: Steven B. DiCarlo, 330 Cedar Street TMP430A, New Haven, CT 06520.