William C. Paladino Jr. (Bill), a prominent Highland, NY businessman and devoted father, passed away on July 8, 2026, at the age of 83.
Bill was a lifelong resident of Highland and a 1962 graduate of Highland High School. Throughout his life, he deeply supported the community that shaped him, contributing generously both personally and financially. An avid varsity athlete in his youth, Bill went on to establish and grow multiple agricultural businesses. He also gave back consistently to local civic organizations, including the Town of Lloyd Little League and the Lloyd American Legion. Bill firmly believed that business leadership and civic duty went hand-in-hand, holding a deep care for local youth and U.S. veterans. Demonstrating this commitment, he served on the boards of the M&T Bank Hudson Valley Division and Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY, and was a past President of the Fraternal Order of Police in Palm Beach, FL.
As a consummate entrepreneur, Bill’s career spanned over six decades. His journey began in high school, buying and managing local fruit farms, and ultimately led to running Hudson Valley Apple Products (HVAP) in Milton, NY, alongside his father, William C. Paladino Sr. (Willy). Over the years, HVAP established and grew a successful apple juice plant, a major regional fruit sales brokerage, a wholesale general produce business, an apple slicing facility, and extensive apple and pear farming operations. By the late 1980s, HVAP had become the 12th largest apple grower in the United States and the largest pear grower east of the Mississippi. Bill’s career with HVAP culminated in its sale to Ranks Hovis McDougall of London, England, in 1984. His passion for business never waned; in his later years, he continued to actively buy and manage Hudson Valley real estate. Throughout his life, Bill possessed a rare business mind—one that eagerly looked toward the future while firmly respecting tradition.
Bill leaves behind a lasting legacy of love, laughter, and wisdom. He is survived by his wife, Diane Paladino; his children, William J. Paladino (Mary Glasser) of Cape Town, South Africa, and Jeffrey Paladino (Jeannette Paladino) of Highland, NY; and his four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. His gift for storytelling and his unique insights into business and life will be fondly remembered and celebrated by his family and many friends for decades to come.
Calling hours were held at Torsone Funeral Home, 38 Main Street, Highland, NY, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. A funeral service took place at St. Augustine Church, 55 Main Street, Highland, NY, on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
In lieu of flowers, Bill’s family would deeply appreciate donations made in his memory to either Abilities First NY (abilitiesfirst.org) or Hudson Valley Hospice (hvhospice.org). The Paladino family has proudly supported Abilities First NY since 1977, championing their mission to now serve over 1,400 individuals and families across seven counties in New York’s Hudson Valley region, and they are deeply grateful for the compassionate care Bill received from Hudson Valley Hospice.