Obituary for Gerald Irving Palmer
Gerald “Jerry” Irving Palmer, 86, of Brewster MA., passed away Saturday, June 22, 2019 peacefully, at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in East Orange, NJ, to the late Harold and Helen (Pike) Palmer.
Gerald was raised and educated in East Orange,NJ and Byfield, MA at Governor Dummer Academy before attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and later Northeastern University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. This prepared him for a successful career as a quality control engineer, working his way into management for GE, Stone and Webster and finally Tenn. Valley Authority.
He served three years in the United States Army Security Agency as a Direction Finding Operator, and was awarded The National Defense Service Medal for honorable active service during the Korean War.
Gerald was a member of the Masons, various church committees and was an active scout leader with The Boy Scouts of America.
Gerald loved being on the water, the outdoors and animals. Growing up he attended Camp Monomoy in Brewster, MA, eventually serving as a camp counselor for many years. It was there, while making trips to the local snack shack, Cobies, that he met the love of his life, Florence, to whom he was married for 63 years. Jerry passed on his passion and love of adventure, water-sports, and especially sailing, to his children and grandchildren. He was always ready for a day on the water whether it was fishing , motor boating, or sailing his wooden snipe across the bay.
Jerry’s love of reading ,music and history, was shared with the family, pointing out historic landmarks on their many outings and travels. His great sense of humor, albeit somewhat dry on occasions, was enjoyed by all. He enjoyed reciting poems and rhymes, and telling stories of family lore and lineage which dates back to the early settlers of Newburyport, of which he was quite proud.
He could fix almost anything, which was extremely beneficial in lovingly restoring his historic home with his family. In this way he passed his innate can do Yankee abilities and attitude on to his children.
In his later years he was an avid walker and all who met him remember his friendly nature and willingness to help. He loved the cape and its beauty, and the Smoky Mountains of eastern Tenn., frequently going for long rides with his wife, friends and family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and will be immensely missed.
Gerald is survived by his wife Florence (Espenhain) Palmer; daughters Lynn Flagg and husband ( Don, deceased) of Sandwich, Lisa Brown and husband( Richard )of Harwich, Mark Palmer of Centerville, Leslie LaRosa and husband (Patrick) of Franklin; and four grandchildren, Thornton and Clayton Palmer, Christopher and Stephen Brown, as well as three nephews and two nieces.
The family request in lieu of donations or flowers that you will do an unexpected act of kindness for someone else.
Burial in Groveland will be private. A small celebrations of life will be planned in the future.
Obituary lovingly written by the family of Gerald Irving Palmer.
He was born in East Orange, NJ, to the late Harold and Helen (Pike) Palmer.
Gerald was raised and educated in East Orange,NJ and Byfield, MA at Governor Dummer Academy before attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and later Northeastern University, where he received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. This prepared him for a successful career as a quality control engineer, working his way into management for GE, Stone and Webster and finally Tenn. Valley Authority.
He served three years in the United States Army Security Agency as a Direction Finding Operator, and was awarded The National Defense Service Medal for honorable active service during the Korean War.
Gerald was a member of the Masons, various church committees and was an active scout leader with The Boy Scouts of America.
Gerald loved being on the water, the outdoors and animals. Growing up he attended Camp Monomoy in Brewster, MA, eventually serving as a camp counselor for many years. It was there, while making trips to the local snack shack, Cobies, that he met the love of his life, Florence, to whom he was married for 63 years. Jerry passed on his passion and love of adventure, water-sports, and especially sailing, to his children and grandchildren. He was always ready for a day on the water whether it was fishing , motor boating, or sailing his wooden snipe across the bay.
Jerry’s love of reading ,music and history, was shared with the family, pointing out historic landmarks on their many outings and travels. His great sense of humor, albeit somewhat dry on occasions, was enjoyed by all. He enjoyed reciting poems and rhymes, and telling stories of family lore and lineage which dates back to the early settlers of Newburyport, of which he was quite proud.
He could fix almost anything, which was extremely beneficial in lovingly restoring his historic home with his family. In this way he passed his innate can do Yankee abilities and attitude on to his children.
In his later years he was an avid walker and all who met him remember his friendly nature and willingness to help. He loved the cape and its beauty, and the Smoky Mountains of eastern Tenn., frequently going for long rides with his wife, friends and family. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and will be immensely missed.
Gerald is survived by his wife Florence (Espenhain) Palmer; daughters Lynn Flagg and husband ( Don, deceased) of Sandwich, Lisa Brown and husband( Richard )of Harwich, Mark Palmer of Centerville, Leslie LaRosa and husband (Patrick) of Franklin; and four grandchildren, Thornton and Clayton Palmer, Christopher and Stephen Brown, as well as three nephews and two nieces.
The family request in lieu of donations or flowers that you will do an unexpected act of kindness for someone else.
Burial in Groveland will be private. A small celebrations of life will be planned in the future.
Obituary lovingly written by the family of Gerald Irving Palmer.