Beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather, Leslie Palmer of Ocala, FL and Three Mile Bay, NY, passed away peacefully in his Ocala home on Thursday, January 2nd. He was born October 7, 1924, the son of John Charles and Dora (Morton) Palmer in Clayton, NY. He excelled at basketball, baseball and football while attending Clayton High School and well after graduation. Mr Palmer served in the US Navy aboard the USS Colonial during WWII. He married Barbara Ann Gokey at St Mary’s Rectory in Clayton, NY on September 29, 1947. The couple had five children that they raised in Calcium, NY. He was a member of the Calcium Fire Department and in the mid 1960’s served as it’s Chief. Mr Palmer was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge. He loved nature and was a sports and hunting enthusiast. He and his son, John, traveled to Wyoming and Newfoundland to hunt mule deer, moose and caribou.
He began his career employed by the I R Poole propane gas company in Glen Park, NY. When they were purchased by Pargas he became a District and then Regional Manager. In 1979 Mr Palmer accepted the position of Vice President of the Southeastern Division in Waldorf, MD. They were later purchased and he retired in 1987 from Suburban Propane. After his retirement, he and his wife moved back to the north country to be closer to family. They traveled the US, Russia, Europe, Iceland, Australia and New Zealand.
His wife of nearly 60 years and two brothers, Morton and Stanley, passed before him. He is survived by his sister, Winnie Daughen of LaFargeville, NY. He is also survived by his children, Jan Palmer Looney and husband, Michael, of Waldorf, MD, John Palmer and his wife, Sharon, of Cicero, Julie Palmer of Watertown, Joseph Palmer of Cicero, Jeff Palmer of Cicero, NY and eight grandchildren, Tanner Palmer, Jennifer (Palmer) Parola, Jamie Palmer, Ashley (Palmer) Koester, Jordan (Palmer) McDonald, Joseph Palmer, Ryan Palmer, Jeffrey Palmer and seven great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 18th from 1:00 to 3:00 at the T.R. Jetty Funeral Home in Clayton, NY. The service for Mr. Palmer will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers donations may me made to the Jefferson County SPCA, 25056 Water St, Watertown, NY 13601.
Butch Kelsey
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. I have thought of your family many times over the years. Especially the times I used to hang out at your home in Calcuim when Jeff and I were just kids. Again my deepest sympathy to your entire family.
Butch and Lynne (Cooke) Kelsey
Farmington, NY
M/M Robert Quackenbush
Always a gentleman and good person. It was a pleasure being in his company. He will be missed. Our condolesences to his family.
Bob and Bonnie Quackenbush, Ocala Fl
Walt Paddock
To John Palmer and the entire Palmer Family
My deepest sympathies for your loss. Les was a good man.
Sue Palmer
To Uncle Les’s family,
I am so sorry to have heard of your great loss. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Russ Falter/Kathy Wilson
Sympathetic thoughts and prayers go out to the Palmer Family after Les’s passing….he lived a long, good life and we were glad to have met & interacted with him & the family up at Hiawatha Lake as neighbors. He will be missed. Memories will live in your hearts forever!
Sue & Charlie Peters
Our condolences to you all. Les was a good neighbor and will be sadly missed. (Especially riding his Gator over to talk).
Linda MacLeod-Fuller & Bob Fuller
We made it home safe after our Caddy just died on Rt. 81, Sue came to take us home after the car was taken to caddy place in Pulaski. Enough of our short trek in the snow storm, how is everyone doing? Here is a poem that has helped to better understand funerals of friends, well her it goes: Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousands winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn’s rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.
I hope everyone understands why I find this poem comforting.
All our love is with everyone and prayers,
Linda & Bob