Angie Palermo, Metro Erie Hall of Fame bowler, dies at age 99
Angie Palermo was a North East teenager when she rolled her first competitive bowling frame.
The Erie native recorded her last formal one in her mid-80s.
It was amid those decades when Palermo, who died Feb. 22 at age 99, accounted for one of the great local careers in that sport. Her sustained success, highlighted by her time as a tour member the Professional Women’s Bowling Association, culminated in 2016.
That year, Palermo was one of six inductees for the United States Bowling Congress Pennsylvania State Hall of Fame. She couldn’t travel to the ceremony because of health issues but prepared a speech for it that was read by her proxy, Barbara Anderson.
“Never in my wildest dreams, when started bowling at age 16, that many years later I would be selected (for the state hall of fame),” Palermo wrote. “I am honored beyond words.
“I realize this is the highest honor in the state one can receive.”
Anderson presented Palmero’s award to her upon returning to Erie.
“I had a conversation with Angie for a couple hours,” she said. “I was very honored to (represent her) at the ceremony because she was – and still is – one of Erie’s best bowlers.”
Anderson, 81, represented Palermo as the Erie chapter president for the Women’s Bowling Association of the USBC. The Harborcreek Township resident currently serves as vice president for its male-and-female Northwest Pennsylvania chapter.
Beyond bowling
Bowling was the primary reason Palmero was enshrined in the Metropolitan Erie chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.
Three years later, she was listed in the Erie Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame’s inaugural class.
Palermo was among the original 100 members of PWBA’s original tour, which ran from 1960 through 2003. It was during the tour’s original decade that she was invited to compete in a Chicago tournament that included 80 of the world’s elite female players.
Locally, Palermo competed for the Koehler Five, which was considered an elite women’s team. It was with them she once rolled a 729 series.
When Palermo wasn’t bowling, she helped others who did. Angie Palermo’s Pro Shop was the Peach Street business she owned and operated from 1950 through 1986.
“That’s where I met her the first time many years ago,” Anderson said.
However, Palermo was additionally gifted as a softball player. She competed for the Erie Skippers, an all-female team, on local diamonds.
Palermo’s obituary also mentioned she enjoyed golf.
“Angie was an outstanding bowler,” Anderson said, “but she was a nicer lady.”
Where to send condolences
Palermo was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony and Anna Fanara Palermo; a brother, Raymond; a sister, Rosalie Cadwallader; and a niece, Renee Monroe.
Survivors include a niece, Sandra Marque; a nephew, John Cadwallader; longtime companion Barbara Schultz; and good friend Bobbie Baker.
There were no calling hours or service for Palermo. Burial also was private.
Arrangements were handled by Dusckas Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 2607 Buffalo Road. Condolences can be made at www.dusckasfuneralhome.com.
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNcopper.
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This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Metro Erie Hall of Fame bowler Angie Palermo dies at age 99
