March 17, 2015

In Memoriam: Edwin P. Palumbo ’50; retired instructor of economics taught for more than 50 years

Edwin P. Palumbo '50, pictured with his wife, Muriel, was presented a framed basketball jersey in 2014 in honor of his long-time support for the PC's men's basketball team.
Edwin P. Palumbo ’50, pictured with his wife, Muriel, was presented a framed basketball jersey in 2014 in honor of his long-time support for the PC’s men’s basketball team.

Edwin P. Palumbo ’50, of Cumberland, R.I., a retired instructor of economics who taught at Providence College for more than 50 years, died on March 14, 2015.

Mr. Palumbo began teaching at his alma mater in 1955 as a part-time faculty member in economics. He joined the Ordinary Faculty in 1970 and retired in May 2014.

In addition to his decades of teaching and influence on thousands of students, Mr. Palumbo was a longtime affiliate of the College’s Quirk Institute of Industrial Relations. Each spring, he helped coordinate the institute’s John H. Fanning Conference on Labor-Management Relations, which attracted national and regional labor leaders and a wide expanse of career professionals.

Mr. Palumbo’s love for PC was manifest in countless ways, big and small. Beyond his passion for teaching, he was a loyal and active alumnus. He regularly attended alumni events, was a class volunteer, and served on the former National Alumni Association (NAA) Board of Governors, now Council. He received the Mal Brown Award from the Greater Providence Chapter of the NAA, the Mal Brown Club, in 1985 and was presented the Faculty/Staff Award from the NAA in 2000.

He was a longtime benefactor of both the College and its Department of Athletics, and he was a season ticket-holder for men’s basketball for more than 40 years. His support was recognized at a Friars’ game in February 2014, when the department presented him with a framed basketball jersey with his name and class year.

A graduate of nearby La Salle Academy, Mr. Palumbo earned a bachelor’s degree in social science from PC and a master’s degree from Boston College. Early in his career, he became involved in the national consumer movement and was a leader in the Consumer Federation of America. He served on the National Consumer Protection Board and advocated at hearings before Congress for “Truth in Lending” and “Lemon Laws.”

He also served on many national consumer action panels, including the National Consumer Protection Board, which was part of President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s initiative. He was appointed the first director of the Rhode Island Consumer’s Council in 1966 and served on the R.I. Board of Health Services.

Mr. Palumbo was the husband of Muriel (Doyon) Palumbo ’88. He is survived by his children: Mary-Elizabeth Palumbo ’82 and her husband, Thomas Shea; Ann-Marie Palumbo; E. Peter Palumbo ’83 and his wife, Patricia Palumbo; Michael J. Palumbo ’84 & ’06G; Paul A. Palumbo ’85; Catherine M. Swanton ’87, ’93G, & ’03G; and John Palumbo and his wife, Christina Palumbo. He also is survived by a brother, Robert Palumbo, and eight grandchildren.

A  Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Augustine Church, Providence.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to: St. Augustine School, 635 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, RI 02908, or to Providence College, in care of the Friars Forever Athletic Fund, Office of Annual Giving, Harkins Hall 412, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, RI 02918-0001.