Eduardo Palmieri '81 & Deborah Smith-Palmieri Family, P'12,'12,'14,'15,'20
Eduardo (Wally) and Deborah Palmieri have been passionately involved with Notre Dame High School since 2008, when their first two sons, Michael and William '12, entered as freshmen. They were followed by Joseph '14, Eduardo '15, and Byron '20. For twelve consecutive years, at least one Palmieri was enrolled at Notre Dame.
Wally, a proud member of the Class of 1981, has maintained his connection to Notre Dame for over four decades. He and Debbie, St. Bernard's High School Class of 1981, deeply valued Catholic education and were grateful to provide this foundation for their five sons.
The Palmieris' commitment to Notre Dame extends far beyond tuition payments. They have served as dedicated parent ambassadors, meeting with prospective families, participating in focus groups, and volunteering at open houses and student events. Debbie's involvement deepened when she joined the Board of Directors, serving on the Executive Committee as Secretary and currently as Vice Chair.
As parents of five multi-sport athletes, Ed and Debbie became natural supporters of Notre Dame's athletic programs. They served as boosters for football and soccer, organized tailgates, supported summer workouts, and contributed to the development of new turf fields. Alongside Bill Dooley '73, they played an integral role in transforming the lacrosse program from a startup into one of Connecticut's most successful programs. They proudly served as "Captain's parents" for all their sons—four times for lacrosse and once for soccer.
At Notre Dame, Ed was an Honor student, Peer Counselor, Cross Country Captain, and active club member. After graduating from Boston College, he began a distinguished 32-year career with the Connecticut Judicial Branch, rising from Adult Probation Officer to Agency Director. He also served on various boards and commissions, including the New Haven Boys and Girls Club.
Debbie graduated from Southern Connecticut State University and began her career as a Bail Commissioner, where she met Ed. She spent 29 years with the U.S. Probation Office, retiring as a Supervising Probation Officer in 2017. She served 15 years on the New England Association of Drug Court Professionals board and was appointed by Governor Lamont to the Connecticut Board of Pardons and Paroles in 2019. A longtime volunteer, she helps in the food pantry at FISH of Greater New Haven.
