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A Palermo Family Legacy

Original Release: 7/1/2024

Excerpts from article written by Thomas S. Treer-Brush '65-Lyndhurst Historian

A spring day in 1965 would have found Brush High students dripping off the fountain (as we called it). What a great place to hang out and we all have a mischievous tale to tell from there. It's been the prop for yearbook pictures since it was built in 1928-1929. But, in fact, it's a gift from a native son.

Angelo Palermo, Mac Palermo's Dad, donated the time and material, estimated at $3,000, to build this garden area. He called it Martha Garden, to honor his wife. It became the center piece of what had become one of the most beautiful high schools in the Greater Cleveland area. However, over the next six decades it had become “loved to death” and fell into disrepair.

Along came the newly formed Brush Alumni Association, who broke ground for the fountain restoration project in 1992. Formally dedicated on 9/13/92, by the spring of 1993 final landscaping was completed. The goal of recreating the grandeur of the 1930-1940's look would be realized.

The project, initiated by Connie Askue Sabetto, was aided by President Fred Wendel, with help from Don Mungall and Clyde Hawthorn. William and Lauren Lanphear of Forest City Tree Protection donated trees and shrubs. Anthony C. Wancone donated stone work and landscape planning. Michael DiLillo donated his time and the equipment used in preparing the ground for planting.

But, Angelo and Martha Palermo gave us Mac, for which we will be eternally grateful.

Michael (Mac) Palermo was a 1925 graduate of the old South Euclid High School, the predecessor to Brush High School, where he became an outstanding athlete. He attended Albion College and was named to the All-Michigan football team. He returned home in 1929 and was hired as a history teacher at the newly-built Brush High School. He then became an assistant football coach under Coach John Welser.

In 1931, he left teaching and coaching to help his father operate the nursery business. In 1993, realizing landscaping wasn't his calling, he returned to teaching and coaching. He soon met his future bride, Velma Kibler, a teacher at Victory Park Elementary School. (located on the property of what is now the Giant Eagle on Mayfield Rd. in South Euclid). Mac and Velma married and had a son and daughter. Mac went on to grad school earning his master's degree in educational administration.

From 1933 to 1948, Mac taught and coached at Brush. He became head coach when John Welser returned to teaching full time. In 1948, Mac's football team won the conference title. That same year he was named principal at the newly-completed Memorial Junior High School. In 1961, he became the Director of Secondary Education for the district.

He was so beloved and respected that the school board wanted to rename Memorial Junior High after him. Humble man that he was, Mac thought it inappropriate to change the name meant to honor American soldiers who died for their country and respectfully declined. Eventually, the Memorial library was named in his honor.

Mac died in 1972 leaving behind a legacy second to none in our school system history. He was the first inductee into the Brush Hall of Fame. His calm, easy demeanor was perfect for dealing with junior high kids. Those of us lucky enough to remember him personally are much better for having known him.