Buffalo News
Jacob A. Palillo
Feisty Niagara Falls Mayor
Firefighter
March 26, 1932 -- May 13, 2006
Jacob A. Palillo, the feisty firefighter whose term as mayor of Niagara Falls was marked by nonstop strife with the City Council, died Saturday in his home after a long illness, during which he received the care of Niagara Hospice. He was 74.
He was born March 26, 1932 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of the late Joseph and Carmella "Nellie" (Curcio) Palillo, Sr.
Mr. Palillo, a Republican in a Democratic city, was president of the Niagara Falls Fire Fighters Association for 20 years. He first ran for mayor in 1987.
He lost to Michael C. O'Laughlin, but two years later, Mr. Palillo was elected to the Council.
He was elected mayor in 1991, defeating Anthony F. Quaranto, but in 1995 lost a re-election bid to James C. Galie.
His twin brother, John D., who served as parks and public works chief while his brother was mayor, said Mr. Palillo was "widely disparaged."
Mr. Palillo is best remembered for torpedoing a proposal from Benderson Development Co. to build a factory outlet megamall in downtown Niagara Falls.
The outlet mall was later built on Military Road in the Town of Niagara and was a major success.
Many voters, feeling burned by the Ghermezian brothers' megamall proposal a few years before, were suspicious of the Benderson plan, as was Mr. Palillo.
He objected to what he considered secret dealings with Benderson by the O'Laughlin administration and to the deal's requirement that the city was to spend $40 million to buy land for the mall.
"I respected him as mayor and he was a decent person, but unfortunately, that's going to be his legacy," said John G. Accardo, Council chairman while Palillo was in office. "Downtown would look a lot different today if that project had been built."
"They used to say he was bad for business. His response to that was, 'When you're swimming in shark-infested waters, don't stop to pet the sharks,' " John Palillo said Sunday.
He added, "People said he was rough and gruff and tough to get along with with. You spend 20 years battling municipal fire departments for wages, you get that way."
Accardo said, "We had some pretty good battles, but you could shake hands with him afterward. He didn't take it personally."
Mr. Palillo was a lifelong Niagara Falls resident who attended city schools.
He was inducted into the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served 18 months. He was honorably discharged as an airman third class, last stationed at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas.
After the service, Mr. Palillo drove a truck for Friona Trucking Co. and was a construction worker on the Niagara Power Project before joining the Fire Department. His 25-year career ended there when he was elected to the City Council.
As a union leader, he was First District vice president and later president of the New York State Firefighters Association, which later named him executive vice president emeritus.
Mr. Palillo also wrote poetry and music, according to his wife of nine years, the former Barbara Vespa. She said he composed some Italian music and a tribute to Frank Sinatra.
He also bowled in the retired firefighters league and was a fan of the New York Yankees.
Besides his wife and twin brother John (Phyllis), other survivors include three sons, Jacob "Jake" (Geri) Palillo of Cornelius, N.C., Anthony (Carol) Palillo of Charlotte, N.C., and Matthew (Michelle) Porter of New Port Richey, Fla.; two daughters, Lisa (Ronald) Pitrzyk of Mooresville, N.C., and Nadine (Dominic) Cianchetti of Huntersville, N.C.; another brother, Fred J. (late Irene) Palillo of Niagara Falls; a sister, Patricia F. (late Premo) Rizzo of Niagara Falls; and 12 grandchildren; two aunts, Olean Gullo and Celia Palillo, both of Niagara Falls, NY; his mother-in-law, Lillian Vespa of Niagara Falls.
He was also predeceased by one brother, Joseph Palillo, Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1413 Pine Ave., preceded by prayers at 9:15 in M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel, 2730 Military Road, Town of Niagara.
Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.
Jacob A. Palillo
Feisty Niagara Falls Mayor
Firefighter
March 26, 1932 -- May 13, 2006
Jacob A. Palillo, the feisty firefighter whose term as mayor of Niagara Falls was marked by nonstop strife with the City Council, died Saturday in his home after a long illness, during which he received the care of Niagara Hospice. He was 74.
He was born March 26, 1932 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of the late Joseph and Carmella "Nellie" (Curcio) Palillo, Sr.
Mr. Palillo, a Republican in a Democratic city, was president of the Niagara Falls Fire Fighters Association for 20 years. He first ran for mayor in 1987.
He lost to Michael C. O'Laughlin, but two years later, Mr. Palillo was elected to the Council.
He was elected mayor in 1991, defeating Anthony F. Quaranto, but in 1995 lost a re-election bid to James C. Galie.
His twin brother, John D., who served as parks and public works chief while his brother was mayor, said Mr. Palillo was "widely disparaged."
Mr. Palillo is best remembered for torpedoing a proposal from Benderson Development Co. to build a factory outlet megamall in downtown Niagara Falls.
The outlet mall was later built on Military Road in the Town of Niagara and was a major success.
Many voters, feeling burned by the Ghermezian brothers' megamall proposal a few years before, were suspicious of the Benderson plan, as was Mr. Palillo.
He objected to what he considered secret dealings with Benderson by the O'Laughlin administration and to the deal's requirement that the city was to spend $40 million to buy land for the mall.
"I respected him as mayor and he was a decent person, but unfortunately, that's going to be his legacy," said John G. Accardo, Council chairman while Palillo was in office. "Downtown would look a lot different today if that project had been built."
"They used to say he was bad for business. His response to that was, 'When you're swimming in shark-infested waters, don't stop to pet the sharks,' " John Palillo said Sunday.
He added, "People said he was rough and gruff and tough to get along with with. You spend 20 years battling municipal fire departments for wages, you get that way."
Accardo said, "We had some pretty good battles, but you could shake hands with him afterward. He didn't take it personally."
Mr. Palillo was a lifelong Niagara Falls resident who attended city schools.
He was inducted into the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served 18 months. He was honorably discharged as an airman third class, last stationed at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas.
After the service, Mr. Palillo drove a truck for Friona Trucking Co. and was a construction worker on the Niagara Power Project before joining the Fire Department. His 25-year career ended there when he was elected to the City Council.
As a union leader, he was First District vice president and later president of the New York State Firefighters Association, which later named him executive vice president emeritus.
Mr. Palillo also wrote poetry and music, according to his wife of nine years, the former Barbara Vespa. She said he composed some Italian music and a tribute to Frank Sinatra.
He also bowled in the retired firefighters league and was a fan of the New York Yankees.
Besides his wife and twin brother John (Phyllis), other survivors include three sons, Jacob "Jake" (Geri) Palillo of Cornelius, N.C., Anthony (Carol) Palillo of Charlotte, N.C., and Matthew (Michelle) Porter of New Port Richey, Fla.; two daughters, Lisa (Ronald) Pitrzyk of Mooresville, N.C., and Nadine (Dominic) Cianchetti of Huntersville, N.C.; another brother, Fred J. (late Irene) Palillo of Niagara Falls; a sister, Patricia F. (late Premo) Rizzo of Niagara Falls; and 12 grandchildren; two aunts, Olean Gullo and Celia Palillo, both of Niagara Falls, NY; his mother-in-law, Lillian Vespa of Niagara Falls.
He was also predeceased by one brother, Joseph Palillo, Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1413 Pine Ave., preceded by prayers at 9:15 in M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel, 2730 Military Road, Town of Niagara.
Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.
Buffalo News
Jacob A. Palillo
Feisty Niagara Falls Mayor
Firefighter
March 26, 1932 -- May 13, 2006
Jacob A. Palillo, the feisty firefighter whose term as mayor of Niagara Falls was marked by nonstop strife with the City Council, died Saturday in his home after a long illness, during which he received the care of Niagara Hospice. He was 74.
He was born March 26, 1932 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of the late Joseph and Carmella "Nellie" (Curcio) Palillo, Sr.
Mr. Palillo, a Republican in a Democratic city, was president of the Niagara Falls Fire Fighters Association for 20 years. He first ran for mayor in 1987.
He lost to Michael C. O'Laughlin, but two years later, Mr. Palillo was elected to the Council.
He was elected mayor in 1991, defeating Anthony F. Quaranto, but in 1995 lost a re-election bid to James C. Galie.
His twin brother, John D., who served as parks and public works chief while his brother was mayor, said Mr. Palillo was "widely disparaged."
Mr. Palillo is best remembered for torpedoing a proposal from Benderson Development Co. to build a factory outlet megamall in downtown Niagara Falls.
The outlet mall was later built on Military Road in the Town of Niagara and was a major success.
Many voters, feeling burned by the Ghermezian brothers' megamall proposal a few years before, were suspicious of the Benderson plan, as was Mr. Palillo.
He objected to what he considered secret dealings with Benderson by the O'Laughlin administration and to the deal's requirement that the city was to spend $40 million to buy land for the mall.
"I respected him as mayor and he was a decent person, but unfortunately, that's going to be his legacy," said John G. Accardo, Council chairman while Palillo was in office. "Downtown would look a lot different today if that project had been built."
"They used to say he was bad for business. His response to that was, 'When you're swimming in shark-infested waters, don't stop to pet the sharks,' " John Palillo said Sunday.
He added, "People said he was rough and gruff and tough to get along with with. You spend 20 years battling municipal fire departments for wages, you get that way."
Accardo said, "We had some pretty good battles, but you could shake hands with him afterward. He didn't take it personally."
Mr. Palillo was a lifelong Niagara Falls resident who attended city schools.
He was inducted into the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served 18 months. He was honorably discharged as an airman third class, last stationed at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas.
After the service, Mr. Palillo drove a truck for Friona Trucking Co. and was a construction worker on the Niagara Power Project before joining the Fire Department. His 25-year career ended there when he was elected to the City Council.
As a union leader, he was First District vice president and later president of the New York State Firefighters Association, which later named him executive vice president emeritus.
Mr. Palillo also wrote poetry and music, according to his wife of nine years, the former Barbara Vespa. She said he composed some Italian music and a tribute to Frank Sinatra.
He also bowled in the retired firefighters league and was a fan of the New York Yankees.
Besides his wife and twin brother John (Phyllis), other survivors include three sons, Jacob "Jake" (Geri) Palillo of Cornelius, N.C., Anthony (Carol) Palillo of Charlotte, N.C., and Matthew (Michelle) Porter of New Port Richey, Fla.; two daughters, Lisa (Ronald) Pitrzyk of Mooresville, N.C., and Nadine (Dominic) Cianchetti of Huntersville, N.C.; another brother, Fred J. (late Irene) Palillo of Niagara Falls; a sister, Patricia F. (late Premo) Rizzo of Niagara Falls; and 12 grandchildren; two aunts, Olean Gullo and Celia Palillo, both of Niagara Falls, NY; his mother-in-law, Lillian Vespa of Niagara Falls.
He was also predeceased by one brother, Joseph Palillo, Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1413 Pine Ave., preceded by prayers at 9:15 in M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel, 2730 Military Road, Town of Niagara.
Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.
Jacob A. Palillo
Feisty Niagara Falls Mayor
Firefighter
March 26, 1932 -- May 13, 2006
Jacob A. Palillo, the feisty firefighter whose term as mayor of Niagara Falls was marked by nonstop strife with the City Council, died Saturday in his home after a long illness, during which he received the care of Niagara Hospice. He was 74.
He was born March 26, 1932 in Niagara Falls, NY, the son of the late Joseph and Carmella "Nellie" (Curcio) Palillo, Sr.
Mr. Palillo, a Republican in a Democratic city, was president of the Niagara Falls Fire Fighters Association for 20 years. He first ran for mayor in 1987.
He lost to Michael C. O'Laughlin, but two years later, Mr. Palillo was elected to the Council.
He was elected mayor in 1991, defeating Anthony F. Quaranto, but in 1995 lost a re-election bid to James C. Galie.
His twin brother, John D., who served as parks and public works chief while his brother was mayor, said Mr. Palillo was "widely disparaged."
Mr. Palillo is best remembered for torpedoing a proposal from Benderson Development Co. to build a factory outlet megamall in downtown Niagara Falls.
The outlet mall was later built on Military Road in the Town of Niagara and was a major success.
Many voters, feeling burned by the Ghermezian brothers' megamall proposal a few years before, were suspicious of the Benderson plan, as was Mr. Palillo.
He objected to what he considered secret dealings with Benderson by the O'Laughlin administration and to the deal's requirement that the city was to spend $40 million to buy land for the mall.
"I respected him as mayor and he was a decent person, but unfortunately, that's going to be his legacy," said John G. Accardo, Council chairman while Palillo was in office. "Downtown would look a lot different today if that project had been built."
"They used to say he was bad for business. His response to that was, 'When you're swimming in shark-infested waters, don't stop to pet the sharks,' " John Palillo said Sunday.
He added, "People said he was rough and gruff and tough to get along with with. You spend 20 years battling municipal fire departments for wages, you get that way."
Accardo said, "We had some pretty good battles, but you could shake hands with him afterward. He didn't take it personally."
Mr. Palillo was a lifelong Niagara Falls resident who attended city schools.
He was inducted into the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served 18 months. He was honorably discharged as an airman third class, last stationed at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas.
After the service, Mr. Palillo drove a truck for Friona Trucking Co. and was a construction worker on the Niagara Power Project before joining the Fire Department. His 25-year career ended there when he was elected to the City Council.
As a union leader, he was First District vice president and later president of the New York State Firefighters Association, which later named him executive vice president emeritus.
Mr. Palillo also wrote poetry and music, according to his wife of nine years, the former Barbara Vespa. She said he composed some Italian music and a tribute to Frank Sinatra.
He also bowled in the retired firefighters league and was a fan of the New York Yankees.
Besides his wife and twin brother John (Phyllis), other survivors include three sons, Jacob "Jake" (Geri) Palillo of Cornelius, N.C., Anthony (Carol) Palillo of Charlotte, N.C., and Matthew (Michelle) Porter of New Port Richey, Fla.; two daughters, Lisa (Ronald) Pitrzyk of Mooresville, N.C., and Nadine (Dominic) Cianchetti of Huntersville, N.C.; another brother, Fred J. (late Irene) Palillo of Niagara Falls; a sister, Patricia F. (late Premo) Rizzo of Niagara Falls; and 12 grandchildren; two aunts, Olean Gullo and Celia Palillo, both of Niagara Falls, NY; his mother-in-law, Lillian Vespa of Niagara Falls.
He was also predeceased by one brother, Joseph Palillo, Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1413 Pine Ave., preceded by prayers at 9:15 in M.J. Colucci & Son Niagara Funeral Chapel, 2730 Military Road, Town of Niagara.
Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.
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