Dominic Palazzolo’s mother and father immigrated to the U.S. from Sicily, both in search of a better life. His mother’s family came to Michigan in 1909. His father arrived later in 1916.
His parents, Catherine and Giuseppe, married at Holy Family Catholic Church near Greektown in the 1920s. Palazzolo’s father worked for Ford starting around 16 years old. His mother was a homemaker.
The couple in Highland Park, and Palazzolo was born in 1937. His mother’s siblings also lived close by.
Palazzolo grew up Catholic, and he and his family went to the former Church of the Madonna on Detroit’s west side. He was drafted to the U.S. armed forces in 1959, which brought him to Fort Benning in Georgia. There he completed his army training and became part of the 87th Infantry Division Headquarters Company.
Palazzolo a guidance counselor in high school asked him to consider becoming a teacher based on his leadership skills. After two years of active military duty, he returned to Michigan to complete a degree in education at Michigan State University. While at MSU, he met his future wife, Liz. They married in 1965. Palazzolo then went to Wayne State University for his doctorate in education.
His career in education spanned nearly 50 years, which included his time as an elementary teacher and an administrator. He also served as president of the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the Michigan Elementary and Middle School Principals Association (MEMSPA).
He retired in 2000 after serving as principal at Yake Elementary School in Woodhaven, Michigan.
Palazzolo and his wife currently live in Grosse Ile.
This story is part of our Destination Detroit initiative, which through a series of interviews shares the rich history of the people who have shaped Southeast Michigan.
Watch more stories at onedetroitpbs.org/destinationdetroit.