Joseph A. Palmarini of Liberty, NY, a long-time area resident, died Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at his home.  He was 67. 

The son of the late Joseph Francis and Tina Palmarini (née Poli), he was born on February 27, 1956, in New York City.

Joe was a naturally talented musician--self-taught and well-respected by his peers. A left-handed guitarist known for his skill and unique sound, he fronted a group called JP and the Blues Boys. For years he performed at Terra Blues on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village, where he shared the stage with notable blues artists and often played in the popular “Clapton Night” tributes. 

Joe had an encyclopedic knowledge of music trivia and films. He loved collecting and listening to music of all styles & genres. Artists like Glen Campbell, Frank Zappa, Jackie Wilson, and The Beatles were some of his favorites. His enjoyment of music spanned Blues, Rock, Country, Folk, well-written Pop songs, and much more. His extensive knowledge of musical instruments and equipment allowed him to identify which guitars and amps a musician used on a song. This talent enabled him to replicate the sound of famous musicians or bands when he was hired to record instrumental versions of popular music for streaming companies. 

Joe delighted in sharing his passion for music and films with his family, often hosting movie and music nights. He loved connecting with family and looked forward to the family conference call every other Sunday as well as his nightly call with his sister. 

He often spoke fondly of his lifelong friends and bandmates in Vernon, NJ, and NYC. A member of several bands over the years, he recorded original music with The Pine Mountain Band, The Roadents, and Legion at the famous Electric Lady Studios.  

Before his retirement, Joe was trusted by generations of customers in the safe business. He worked alongside his father for many years installing safes and later worked in a managerial position serving commercial and residential customers in the Jacob Javits Center, the Diamond District, and throughout the tri-state area. 

Joe met his wife Deborah in 1999 when she hired him to play guitar in her Dallas Fisher Band. Later he joined Deborah on her In The Jungle album, playing all the songs with pristine care and selecting each guitar and amp with a specific sound in mind. Joe and Deborah also played in a local band with drummer Mike Moss who, along with his wife Karen, acted as the best man and matron of honor at Joe and Deborah’s wedding.

Survivors include his wife, Deborah Palmarini, at home; their sons, Andrew Palmarini and Joseph Palmarini; blended family Nick and Vinny Webbe and Elijah Allen; his mother-in-law Donna Fisher, sisters-in-law; Pam Fisher & Yvonne Williams and family; his sister, Nancy Palmarini; nieces, Martina and Sophie D’Amato; his nephew, Robert D’Amato; cousins Stephen Poli, Chris Wuerdemann, the Bonanno family and all his Palmarini cousins: Deborah Giraldo, Anthony, Vinny, Richard, Toni Palmarini and their respective children; and his dear friends, Michael, Robert, and Angela Triano, Ollie Ottens, Joe Gruber, Kevin Lutke, Bill and Steve Sgambati, Mike Medina, Mark Schaeffer, Bud Pelaez, Dave Van Fleet, many Sullivan County friends music and otherwise: David Rosenberg, Steven Schwartz, Paul Kean, David Trestyn, James Felder to name a few and many other close friends who will miss him dearly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Father Ed Bader presiding, 262 N. Main Street, Liberty, NY on Wednesday, October 18th at 11:00 am, Linda Hauschild on church organ. Followed by a Mercy dinner ½ mile away at New Munson Diner, 12 Lake Street, Liberty; all are welcome.

If you wish to honor Joe’s memory and his love of music, in lieu of flowers, please consider one of two options:

1) Music for Humanity at https://musicforhumanity.org/joseph-a-palmarini-donation/ 100% will go to a yearly Scholarship recipient, which are college students enrolled in an accredited music school.

2) Steve’s Music Center, to submit donation go to PayPal and enter Steve’s Music Center; it will populate and then click on it and you’ll be able to enter dollar amount, 100% submitted will be combined and honored via gift certificate(s) to a worthy candidate(s) from Sullivan County High School Band Student(s) who demonstrate(s) a passion for playing guitar.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY 845-292-0001, 845-439-5200 www.Harris-FH.com  Dignified cremation provided by Harris Crematorium, LLC.