Ed Palestro, served Hubbard for many years, dead at 83

Ed Palestro, served Hubbard for many years, dead at 83

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Former Hubbard councilman and city service director Ed Palestro died Thursday at Sharon, Pa., Regional Health System.

Palestro, who retired from council last year, was 83.

Palestro first ran for council in the 4th Ward in 1979 and stayed on it for 10 years. He spent the next six years as city service director, then returned to council. He was a councilman a total of 26 years.

Besides his service to the city, he was a longtime businessman.

He ran Frank’s Shoe Repair on North Main Street for 23 years. His father, Frank, opened the repair shop in 1942.

Palestro was born in Hubbard and except for two years in the Marine Corps, lived his whole life there, he told The Vndicator in January. The paper profiled him then as he stepped down from city council.

He left the military in 1947 and worked for Strouss’ Department Store on West Federal Street for 16 years selling sewing machines. After the store closed, he worked for Federal Wholesale in Hubbard for 24 years.

He took over the repair shop from his sister in 1989.

He and his wife, Dorothy, who died eight years ago, had two children, Ed Palestro Jr. and Theresa Palestro.

His son said Friday his dad’s commitment to Hubbard will be hard to replace.

“My dad loved the city of Hubbard and all the people in it,” he said.

Hubbard Mayor John Darko called Palestro a respected and devoted public servant.

“He became a natural mentor to many public officials, including myself,” Darko said Friday. “He taught us all.”

Friends may call from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Kelley-Robb-Cummins Funeral Home, 709 N. Main St., Hubbard. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home and 2 p.m. at St. Patrick Church, 225 N. Main St., Hubbard.