Known to everyone as Tony, he grew up in Brooklyn and moved to Miami, Florida at age 13. Tony attended Miami Senior High School, where he was a member of the gymnastics team and became an accomplished gymnast. He enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school, and became a member of the Elite Paratrooper Division, serving for two years. Shortly after completing his military tenure, Tony met the love of his life, Vee Marotta, in 1965, when he enrolled in hairdressing classes. They were wed soon after, on July 2, 1966, and were married for 54 years. While in New York, they opened their first beauty shop, Hair by Tony, on Madison Avenue and 41 St, in Manhattan. During these years, Tony and Vee decided to start their family and eventually had three very energetic sons, Chris, Scott, and Marc. In 1972, they made the decision to move to Boca Raton, a block from Tony’s sister and brother-in-law, Rosie and Larry, and soon to be born, niece Nikki. Tony worked at Russo’s Beauty Salon on Palmetto Park Road in east Boca Raton for several years, until they set their sights on opening their own beauty shop, Hair Dimensions, in 1975. Once it was opened, Hair Dimensions became a permanent fixture on Federal Highway in Boca Raton, until it’s closing in 2014, 39 years later.
Tony was a very colorful individual, who adored children. He actually attended clown school and became a thoroughly captivating clown, entertaining many groups of young children. In addition, every Christmas, Tony would don an authentic Santa Claus suit and donate his time delighting underprivileged children. He was a yearly regular at St. Joan of Arc’s Breakfast with Santa.
Besides his love of children, Tony enjoyed martial arts. He began training in New York, and continued in Boca Raton where he became a first degree black belt in Goju Ryu Karate, studying under Johnny Pachivas. Tony subsequently became a karate instructor from which he derived great fulfillment.
Tony was beloved by all who knew him. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anyone. His clients eventually became his friends. Soon after opening Hair Dimensions, Tony started the tradition of hosting his famous Memorial Day Picnic at Spanish River Park for his clients, friends, and family members. It grew into a huge yearly event to which everyone looked forward.
Tony tried to be present at every one of his three sons’ baseball games, during which time he got to know a number of the Boca High School students, many of whom became his clients. After his grandchildren were born and began pursuing sports, Grandpa was sure to attend their activities.
More than anything, Tony loved his family. He was so proud of his three sons, he adored his daughters-in-law, and was over the moon about his grandchildren. They were his whole world.
Tony is survived by his beloved wife, Vee Palermo, his cherished sons, Chris (Yvette) Palermo, Scott (Jennifer who entered heaven 9-9-20) Palermo, and Marc (Temma) Palermo, his treasured grand children, Carlee, Cole, Alexa, Parker, Caterina, Jordan, Mila, and Leo Palermo, his devoted sister Rosie (Larry) Blinchikoff, his dearest niece Nikki (Mario) Gentile and his grand nieces Megan and Molly Gentile, in addition to a myriad of loving cousins, aunts and uncles, friends, and the Marotta family sisters-and-brothers-in-law, and nieces and nephews. Whether known as Tony, Dad, Grandpa, or Uncle “Tone”, he will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to have known him.
In lieu of flowers, the Palermo family requests a donation to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Dance Marathon at UF. By clicking the link below.
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