Peter Palko

Peter Edward Palko passed away January 12, 2021 at the age of 70.  He was born in Gainesville, FL to Elaine and Bernard Palko, although he spent most of his life in Jacksonville.  He graduated from Englewood High School, attended St Petersburg Junior College and graduated from the University of Florida in 1972.  Pete started in restaurant management but spent most of his career as an outside sales representative for Florida Paper/Jan Pak, where he counted long time customers and co-workers among his friends.

Pete was a kind and generous man, a nurturer through and through.  Family meant everything to him.  As a young adult he suffered the loss of his older brother, Tom. After the birth of Peter’s two sons, Kristopher and Brian, they became his light and he it became his mission to raise the strongest, loving and respectful men.  When Kris became ill, Pete lovingly took care of him until he passed.  Pete struggled with the grief but was determined to be strong for Brian.  He was so proud when Brian married Kendall and loved the sense of fun and happy energy she adds to the family.  In recent years, Pete fought through multiple health crises, always saying “you have to look past your circumstances”.  He was grateful for the compassion and kindness of the Mayo Clinic medical staff who treated and cared for him.

Pete spent his life in loving support of his mother, Elaine Palko who survives him along with Brian and Kendall Palko. Also left to cherish his memory are his sisters and brothers-in-law: Beth and Frank Smith, Laura and Jim Schendel, Carolyn and Jeff Stone, along with five nieces, one nephew, one great niece and two great nephews.  We are heartbroken but glad he is at peace.

The family has planned a private service and asks for memories of Pete to be shared on the memorial website www.petepalko.com.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to https://www.ciljacksonville.org/, the Center for Independent Living, Jacksonville.