As a retired deputy director of special services for Allegheny County, Anthony Palombaro — better known as "A.J." by his boss — was the county's "man for all seasons."
"A.J. would set up winter operations on a 24/7 basis," said Joe Moses, retired director of the department.
Anthony Palombaro of Scott, formerly of Dormont, died on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, in his home. He was 80.
"He set up the (road) crews so they overlapped and could work on other projects in case there was no snow, such as opening catch basins and putting up new guard rails," said Moses.
"And by overlapping, A.J. was able to keep the costs down, which he felt was an important aspect of his responsibilities as a county employee.
"Our department maintained 740 miles of county roads, and A.J. oversaw the striping of the roads and checking and replacing guard rails.
"In the summer, our department oversaw the grass cutting, site clearing and helping to maintain many public buildings, including hospitals and maintaining our seven county parks.
"One of his last responses prior to retiring was to take our Critical Response Team to Hopewell in Beaver County in 1994 to aid in the crash of USAir Flight 427."
Moses recalled how Mr. Palombaro made the decision to replace the salt the department used on bridges in the winter with the more effective de-icing material the airport used on its planes and runways.
During the 1977 flood in Johnstown, Mr. Moses helped form the Delta Team that traveled there to aid the victims of the flood.
"A.J's life and career were based on helping others," said Moses. "A.J. was a man with a heart bigger than himself. We both grew up in the Hill District. I was a lot younger, but I understood that even then, he was a man who had the reputation of reaching out to others.
"And in conjunction with the Salvation Army, A.J. would recruit volunteers to help him serve the homeless on Christmas Day in Downtown hotels.
"He was also involved in raising funds to provide winter clothing for those in need as a volunteer for WTAE's Project Bundle-Up," said Moses.
Mr. Palombaro is survived by his wife, Sally Wasserman Palombaro; daughter, Candace Pope of Green Tree; son, James Palombaro; two grandchildren; and a sister, Terri McGovern of Mt. Lebanon.
He was preceded in death by his son, Jerome.
Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Brusco-Falvo Funeral Home, 214 Virginia Ave., Mt. Washington, where a blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
