Salvatore Richard Palmeri

Salvatore Richard Palmeri October 29, 1933 – December 1, 2021 Salvatore (Rich) R. Palmeri of Cottonwood, Arizona passed away peacefully in his home on December 1, 2021. His wife of 62 years, Dolores Palmeri, his daughter Lorraine Palmeri, and his son Steven Palmeri were by his side. He also leaves behind his only grandchild, Nicolas Corrales, also of Cottonwood. Rich was 88 years old, born in Brooklyn, New York on October 29, 1933 to the late Enrique Palmeri and Filomena Luppachino and had one sister, the late Marianne Passanisi. He graduated from the State University of New York; SUNY Polytechnic Institute where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and in the 1970s he was part of the team that invented Pong, the very first video game. He was also honored for being on the team that created the first digital cash register. His military service included serving in the U.S. Navy from 1952 to 1954 as a boatswain’s mate during the Korean War and he was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. In 1965, Rich and Dolores and their two children relocated from the Bronx, New York to Redding, Connecticut where they lived until their relocation to Phoenix, Arizona in 1983. After a few years they discovered Puerto Penasco, Mexico where they purchased land and had their dream house built that they designed. They spent many years in Mexico before and after retirement enjoying the Sea of Cortez and became certified scuba divers. Rich was an adventurer and loved to take road trips with his wife all across the western states and throughout Mexico. Rich was also an incredible artist who painted the most realistic landscape scenes in oil paint. He later learned how to create stained glass windows and his work was colorful and beautiful to look at. In addition he made inlay wood-cut scenes, mosaic tile work, and just about anything else he set his mind to. In 2018 Rich and Dolores relocated to Cottonwood to get away from the hustle and bustle of Phoenix, to once again enjoy the four seasons, and to be near their daughter and grandson who had relocated to Cottonwood in 2012. No services are planned at this time, but a Celebration of Life will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Rich to St. Joseph’s Indian School. This was his favorite charity.