Charles A. Palermo

CHARLES A. PALERMO “Charlie”, 95, of Westwood, MA passed peacefully on June 2, 2026 surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Boston, MA on January 31, 1931, Charlie was the beloved husband of the late Marie R. “Dolly” (Grogan). Charlie and Dolly were married 63 years and together raised four children. Charlie was the son of Pasquale and Antoinetta Palermo. He was predeceased by his siblings, Joe and his wife Anne, Millie and her husband Dominic D’Arrigo, Tony and his wife Peggy, Rose and her husband Bill Jacobs, and John Palermo. He is survived by his sister-law, Beverly Palermo of Tucson, AZ.

Charlie was a graduate of Brighton High School and served in the United States Air Force. He worked as an insurance appraiser/adjuster for Boyd, Dalton & Church and Royal Globe Insurance. Later, he owned and operated Van’s Auto Body Repair Shop in Dorchester. After selling the business, he went to work and retired from Safety Insurance. Charlie was known for his ever-present smile and good humor. He made friends easily wherever he went. He was an avid walker and participated for years in the annual fundraising walks for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Charlie loved to play golf, bocce and to travel to Arizona to visit his younger brother, John and his wife Beverly. Charlie and Dolly enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and later to Foxwoods. Charlie loved the sunshine and often laid out on his hammock to soak up the rays. He was a proud member of the Westwood American Legion Post No. 320. He also served as an usher at Mass in St. Margaret Mary Church in Westwood.

Charlie is dearly loved and survived by his daughters and sons: Diane and her husband Bill Tobin of Rockland; Charles "Chuck" and his wife Maureen of Canton; Annette McBride of Norfolk; and Paul and his wife JanMarie of Johns Creek, Georgia. He was a loving and devoted grandfather to Jonathan, Billy, Jennifer, Bobby, Michael, Jessica, Caroline, Rebecca, and Nicholas. He was tragically predeceased by three grandchildren, Mark, Daniel and Lisa Palermo. He will be sadly missed by his nine great-grandchildren, Ryan, Teddy, AJ, Allison, Matthew, Rylee, Emma, Connor and Anna and his bonus grandsons Daulton, Mason and Zachary. Charlie is survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Visitation in the Holden, Dunn and Lawler Funeral Home, 55 High Rock St., Westwood on Saturday morning June 6th from 9am -10:30am. Following the Visitation, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am at St. Margaret Mary’s Church, 845 High St., Westwood, MA. Interment at New Westwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Charles’ memory to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or The American Cancer Society.