Dear Editor:
We, the family of John DePalma, wish to express heartfelt thanks for the kind and memorable commemoration ceremony held in honor of John this past summer on June 23 in Church Square Park. On that evening, starting off the Wednesday night summer concert series in Church Square Park, the gazebo in the center of the Park was dedicated to John with the unveiling of a permanent plaque, affixed to the east side of the gazebo.
Sincere gratitude to the Hoboken leaders and long-term friends for acknowledging and speaking so kindly in honor of John at the dedication: Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Mayor Pat Pasculli, Mayor Dave Roberts, City Clerk Jimmy Farina (Master of Ceremonies for the dedication), Hoboken Historian Lenny Luizzi, Gene Turonis, and others.
Thanks to the graciousness of the residents of Hoboken; the memory of John and his love of music will be eternal. The plaque on the gazebo reads: “In loving memory of John DePalma, Founder of the Church Square Park Summer Concert Series, Thanks to you, the sound of music will always fill the air on summer nights in your beloved park.” Many thanks to William Campbell and Paul Drexel for composing such eloquent words, with additional input and edits from Jimmy Farina, Lenny Luizzi, Gene Turonis, Richard DelBoccio, and his co-workers Jerry Lore, Dolores Pasculli, Diane Lanza, Mike Mastropasqua, and Frank MonteMagno.
John had volunteered his time and efforts since 1986 to bring live music to Church Square Park in the summer. He loved his hometown of Hoboken, and was active in the community as a founding member of the Hoboken Historical Museum, a founding member of the 6th Ward block association, a member of St Francis Church, the recording secretary for the Hoboken Library Board, and additional community activities, as well as working in City Hall as the deputy city clerk until his passing in July 2009.
On the evening of the dedication, Gene Turonis [aka “Gene D. Plumber” of “the Plumbers’] organized Cat Lingo to perform music after the ceremony. Gene is organizing and volunteering his time to continue the tradition of summertime Wednesday night live music in Church Square Park. Thanks to Gene and the concert sponsors, this summer’s music was very enjoyable.
Heartfelt thanks to the many people and friends who visited John during his illness, bringing him cards, good wishes, and cheer, and also to those who remembered him with prayers, candles, sympathy cards, and donations in his memory to various organizations. We appreciate Father Michael Guglielmelli of St Francis parish for his kind words and prayers, and John and David McNight at Failla Memorial Home for their support and compassion. May God bless you all, and may John’s memory be eternal.
John’s mother Loretta, his daughter Christina, and family