James A. Palmer

SOUTH KENT— James A. Palmer, 76, of South Kent Road died April 5, 2010, at New Milford Hospital. He was the husband of  Doris (Peterson) Palmer.

Mr. Palmer was born in Flushing, N.Y., on Oct. 11, 1933, the son of the late Mary (Jenkins) and Alva Palmer.

He was a 1955 graduate of  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in mechanical engineering. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot from 1955 to 1961. For 30 years he was a corporate pilot for the Wayfarer Ketch Company, flying private airplanes around the world.

He was on the board of directors for Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging and was active with the Kent Community Center for many years. He served on the Kent Board of Finance and the Kent Zoning Board. He was a volunteer for FISH (Friends in Service Here) and taught computers to seniors.

In addition to his wife of 54 years, he is survived by two sons, James A. Palmer Jr. and his wife, Karen, of New City, N.Y., and Scott Palmer of Cornwall; a daughter, Kathy Brown, and her husband, Winn, of  New Fairfield; a brother, Charles Palmer of Bennington, Vt.; and five grandchildren,  Jessica, Jennifer, Jeffrey, Christopher and Meloney.

He was predeceased by a son, Douglas; a brother, Burr Palmer; and a sister, Isabelle Hoag.

A memorial service was celebrated April 10 at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Kent. Arrangements are under the care of the Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kent Community Fund.