John T. Pallo

July 25, 1927 - April 6, 2016

SOUTH BEND - John T. Pallo, 88, residing in Ft. Myers, Florida, passed away Wednesday, April 6th, 2016, in his home. He was born July 25, 1927, in South Bend, IN, to the late John M. and Theresa (Arch) Pallo. On July 21, 1951, John married the former Anne Berlakovich, who survives. In addition to his loving wife Anne, he is survived by his daughters, Susan (Carl) Baxmeyer of South Bend, IN, Sandra (David) Reno of Ft. Myers, FL, Sharon (Kenneth) Wagner of Granger, IN and Jean (Jeff) Boocher of South Bend, IN; son, John T. (Roxanne) Pallo, Jr. of Granger, IN, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A graduate of South Bend's Washington High School, John was a defensive back on the state championship football teams of 1942, 1943 and 1944. While offered a scholarship to Georgia Tech, when he graduated, John, like so many of the Greatest Generation, elected to serve his country and enlisted in the U.S. Army. Honorably discharged, he returned to South Bend and worked at Singer. On October 15, 1954, John received an appointment to the South Bend Fire Department. He rose steadily through the ranks, serving as a Captain in the mid-1960s.

Like many police and firemen, John worked a second job. Whether it was at his parents' package liquor store on Prairie Avenue, owning and operating both a used car dealership on the near west-side and later a bait shop on State Road 23 in Granger, John was an industrious, hard worker, tireless in supporting his family.

On February 17, 1978, John retired from the South Bend Fire Department after 24 years of service. He cherished those years and the friendships he made through the Department.

John and Anne continued to own and operate their bait shop while beginning to spend winters in Florida. That gave him the time and opportunity to indulge in his favorite pastimes - fishing, playing cards and golf. Gradually, their time in Florida lengthened until 1992 when John fully retired. For many years John and Anne wintered in Florida near their daughter Sandra and son-in-law David. Traveling north to South Bend for extended periods each summer to be with family and friends, those were some of the best years of his life.

Five years ago John and Anne moved from their home in Avon Park, FL, to the perfect retirement community in Ft. Myers, with wonderful residents and staff. They will remember John for his happy greeting each morning and his exercise walks around the lake where he enjoyed sharing some food with the wildlife, his turtle and the ducks. For John it was always a great day when the Chicago Cubs or any Notre Dame team, but especially the football and basketball teams, had success.

John leaves his family and friends with wonderful memories of a good, long life. His family will celebrate and remember John with a private memorial service later this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be given to Hope Hospice of Ft. Myers, FL.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Apr. 24, 2016.

05/10/2023 EJS

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