Memories of Orio Palmer

'We all knew he was special'

I grew up in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx, on the corner of 235th Street and Monroe Avenue. I believe Orio lived off of Vireo Avenue, one block south or so of my home.

In my mind's eye, I still see Orio strutting down Martha Avenue in the summers; white tee and blue jeans, boombox or radio perched on his shoulder. We all knew he was special, even then, and everyone wanted to know him. We knew he hung out at PS 19's schoolyard, on Katonah Avenue, and maybe 237th Street? Summer was always filled with stickball, dodgeball, punchball, kickball and the like, and you know your Orio excelled!

I wasn't one of your Orio's "circle" but what I want you to know is that he was nice to everybody; he would always say "hello" if he saw you at "French Charlies" or if he saw you at the old Jubilee Supermarket on Katonah Avenue. I am so proud to this day that I knew him as a neighborhood kid, like myself. I can only imagine how proud you must be as his family.

Please accept my condolences for your loss; I can only imagine you've felt it deeply over the years. Rest assured that he will never be forgotten; that is the least we can do after all he's done for us.

Sheila Sullivan, New York