This website is dedicated to the following individuals who played a vital role in our foundations story and success. Although they are no longer here with us, their spirits live in on.
Pat Palermo
Patsy Palermo was Ricky’s dad. He was. Born in Elba NY in 1929 and spent much of his life farming the muck that makes Elba “The Onion Capital of The World”. He married Ricky’s mom Virginia in 1954 and they raised three children together. He loved supporting his Elba alma matter and his family’s alma matter in Byron Bergen. After retiring from Delco where he worked as a machinist, Patsy was Rickys right-hand man, taking him to the Y for workouts and helping with the foundation. Friends and family knew him as a big Yankees fan, who could be found making sauce every Sunday, and as someone who always taught by example.
joe fragnito
Joe Fragnito married Ricky’s sister Patty in 1981. He was known as a father, friend, an avid Buffalo Bills fan, and as a longtime bartender at Sunnys in Batavia where he always had a smile on his face. He was a huge part of Rickys everyday life and took care of many of the details for the foundation especially on “Tournament Day”.
Nick Buoniconti
Nick Buoniconti was the middle linebacker for the Miami Dolphins from 1969-1976 winning two Super Bowls. Best known for being on the undefeated 72’ Dolphins team. In his lifetime he also earned a law degree, acted as a sports agent and in the late 70’s and early 80’s acted as the president of the United States Tobacco Company. In 1985 Nick’s son Marc experienced a spinal cord injury. Nick teamed up with doctor Barth Green and co founded the Miami Project to cure paralysis where Nicks spirit lives on today. In 2001 Nick Buoniconti was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame.
Travis Minor
Travis Minor was the partial owner of PW Minor Shoe Factory. An avid football fan, Travis had been a Buffalo Bills season ticket holder since the start in 1960 and upgraded to box seats for the last 20 years of cheering for the team. He himself suffered a spinal cord injury when he was paralyzed by a spinal stroke. He helped The Ricky Palermo Foundation purchase a FES bike for the YMCA in Batavia and donated Buffalo Bills memorabilia to every auction we held.