Apulian volleyball in mourning, Marco De Palo died at the age of 49: “An example on the pitch and in life”

Apulian volleyball in mourning. On the last day of 2025 he died Stick Framea past as a player and a present as a coach. From Molfetta, 49 years old, De Palo fought an illness for a year and a half. He lived in Ponzano Veneto, in the province of Treviso, and after leaving his competitive activity he started working in the offices of the Intesa San Paolo bank in Treviso.

Growing up in Molfetta, De Palo was discovered by PIno Loriziocoach of Taranto who twice led Molfetta volleyball in Serie A2. After his experiences with his hometown club in B1 between the end of the 90s and the beginning of the new millennium, De Palo moved to the north, much appreciated by the coach Luciano Sturam who had often wanted him in his teams.

The career of the Molfetta winger continued in B2 with the shirts of Casier, Paese and Trebaseleghe. In this last experience he began his career as assistant coach, with promotion to B1. He later also coached the youth teams of Montebelluna and Cornuda. Accompanying him is the nickname inherited on the parquet: “Wallio”, a tribute to his origins.

Many messages of affection and condolences arrived on social media for De Palo. «Bad news shocks the world of Apulian volleyball – is the thought of Pallavolo Molfetta – Marco De Palo, a former athlete who wore our colors in the unforgettable battles played at the Palazzetto in via Giovinazzo, leaves us. He lost the most important match, but he remains a great example and the memory of a splendid person. Volleyball Molfetta ASD expresses its deepest condolences to the family of the late Marco. A big hug.”

A thought also replicated by the Trebaseleghe club: «We remember him with esteem and gratitude for what he brought to our sporting community, on and off the field». Montebelluna instead wanted to remember De Palo Thank you «for the sunny smile, the overwhelming energy and the love for volleyball that, without reservations, you gave to the male and female athletes, to the fellow coaches and managers who met you along their path. Thank you for the example you set, on the pitch and in life.”

De Palo leaves behind his wife Valentina and two children, Pietro and Camilla. The funeral will be held on Saturday 3 January at 9.30 in the parish church of San Pelagio martyr, in Treviso.