Philly 10K for Charles Palladino Sr. on 8/24/25

My Pop-Pop, Charles Palladino Sr., is an amazing person. And I am eternally grateful that I was able to share a little of his life before he passed away on October 26, 2024. As our family understood from watching my grandfather’s wonderful trait of showing his emotions, we should never be afraid to cry and be vulnerable. That openness is a wonderful and powerful gift of humanity. Our family and everyone that knew him will always remember and cherish the memories. And we will always feel grateful that his spirit left an amazing legacy on the world.

He lived in Philadelphia before moving to New Jersey, as his family grew. As a father of seven, his life was chaotic at times, trying to manage a decent middleclass life as a schoolteacher. But his boundless energy and kind heart ensured life was never taken for granted, living each moment to its fullest. His fitness aptitude and friendly demeanor brought so much courage and joy to many. His decades as a physical education teacher in Delran, New Jersey inspired countless kids to become better and more confident versions of themselves.

It wasn’t all good, though. In 1984, there was a tragic accident involving his son, Joey Palladino. At nearly 50 years old, my Pop-Pop had to cope with the death of his son. I cannot imagine the true nature of his grief; all I know is that a parent should never have to watch their child pass away before them. There is a plaque for Joey at Cinnaminson High School, where he attended before his tragic death.

His experience with losing his son provided future guidance to help his other son, Charles Palladino Jr., cope with another tragic death involving his grandson, Charles Palladino III. The pain that my grandfather and my uncle felt was unconscionable, especially given that only a short while later, my uncle lost his wife, Loretta Palladino, to cancer. Death had become a familiar foe, but it did not break their spirit.

My Pop-Pop completed hundreds of local, small running races in his lifetime, as well as getting third place in his age group at the Philadelphia Marathon in his 50’s. Looking back on that marathon race he completed with my dad and uncle, it was a symbol of his resilience at pushing through the physical and emotional pain that he carried in his life. Charles Palladino Senior will always shine as a beacon of hope for kindness in a world that prides itself on cruelty.

Two months before the anniversary of his passing, I will run the Philly 10K in his honor, remembering all the memories and his legacy. For those that want to join, I created a group in his name. You can run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines. All that matters is that we keep Charles Palladino Senior’s memory alive.

https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-1790309?raceId=21055