Anthony "Tuffy" Palmieri

75, of Cranston, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Morgan Health Center, Johnston. He was the beloved husband for 52 years, of Barbara (Crudale) Palmieri. Born in Providence, RI he was the son of the late Ralph and Nancy (Briganti) Palmieri.

Anthony was a US Army Veteran serving as a paratrooper during the Vietnam Era. After retiring from active duty, he continued his lifelong military career with the Army National Guard preparing soldiers as a Drill Sergeant and finishing his service recruiting young men and women. He also served his community as a baseball coach for Hugh B. Bain Middle School and a men’s softball coach for the Cranston Reds. Anthony was an excellent duckpin bowler and an avid Yankees fan. He enjoyed summers by the pool, watching his grandchildren and days at Beavertail Park with his loving wife. However, his greatest joy in life was supporting and cheering on his children and grandchildren; never missing their sporting events, dance recitals, plays or any life events.

Besides his wife Barbara, he is survived by his adoring children, Kristen DelBonis and her husband David, and Heather Engstrom and her husband Bruce, all of Cranston; cherished grandchildren, Destinee DelBonis, David DelBonis Jr., Antonio Tanzi, Alessia Engstrom, Bethany Engstrom, Brianne Brooks and Becca Rachkovskiy; great-grandchildren, Easton and Hank Brooks. He was the dear brother of Ralph, Michael, Robert and William Palmeri, and the late Dennis Palmieri. Being from a close knit Italian family, Anthony leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins all of whom enjoyed his company, laughter and joking ways. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, the wonderful staff of Harmony Hospice and the caring employees of Morgan Health Center.

Funeral from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Monday at 10:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in St. Mary’s Church, Cranston. Burial with military honors will follow in RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Exeter. VISITING HOURS will be held on MONDAY MORNING from 8:30 – 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Harmony Hospice, 931 Jefferson Blvd STE 3004, Warwick, RI 02886 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.