Robert Paul Palese, talented musician

Robert Paul Palese, 83, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Thursday, March 28, 2013, after a two-year battle with melanoma.

Robert was born in Wilmington, Nov. 23, 1929. He graduated from P.S. DuPont High School in 1947. He was in the U.S. Army's 47th Division at Camp Rucker from 1951-53 in the Army's marching band. Robert was preceded in death by his son Robert David; his mother Agnes; his father James; and sister Jeanne.

Robert was married to his wife of 60 years Aline Tarwater of Birmingham, Ala. Feb. 14, 1953.

He worked as a salesman for Advance Paper and Chemical and for Galer and Hults for almost 40 years. His real love was music and he played in bands, including with trumpeter Clifford Brown, the Manny Klein and Ralph Marterie bands, the Wilmington Symphony, the Rhythm Doctors for 25 years and his own band and the Bob Parker Orchestra. He was actively involved as an usher at St. Edmond Catholic Church, and was previously the vice president of UNICO, the Italian American service club.

Robert is survived by his wife Aline; daughter Cheryl Ann (Sherry) and her partner James Groome, daughter Catherine (Blair) her husband Enrico Coiera and their son Lucca; his sister Darcy and her husband Robert; and other family and friends, including Sherry's four foster children.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Tuesday April 2, at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, with Father Ray Forester officiating. Visitation will be held beginning at 10 a.m. in the church and a reception will follow at the St. Edmond's church hall

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Robert's family wishes to thank the staff and volunteers at the Delaware Hospice Center at Milford, and the staff at the Delaware Veteran's Administration and Tunnel Cancer Center.