Obituary of Rocco J. Palmer

Rocco J. Palmer, a life-long Darien resident and president of Palmer's Markets in Darien, died of multiple myeloma on Friday, May 22, at Stamford Hospital. Mr. Palmer, 81, is survived by Patricia Brainard Palmer, his wife of 52 years. Born in Stamford on July 31, 1927, Mr. Palmer was a graduate of Darien High School, class of 1945, and served with the U. S. Army/Air Corps in the South Pacific and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He graduated from Northeastern University and from 1950 was active in the leadership of the family-owned Palmer's Market, which was opened by his grandfather in 1921. For decades, Mr. Palmer was the ever-smiling face of his family's business and led its active support of community events for schools, organizations, town agencies and private institutions. Throughout his career, Mr. Palmer was active in Darien's civic and business endeavors. He served on the board of the Darien YMCA from 1966 to 1981. As its President from 1974-1980, he oversaw the Darien All-Ages YMCA Building Expansion Fund Campaign, which raised $1, 800, 000 to construct the 20, 500 square-foot addition that opened in 1978. During his tenure as President, Darien YMCA membership grew from 4, 450 in 1973 to nearly 11, 000 in 1979. Mr. Palmer was a director of the Darien United Fund, a member of the Representative Town Meeting, the Darien Business Development Committee, and a Director of the Union Trust Company Associate Board and a member of the Darien Chamber of Commerce, serving as President in 1972. In 1987, he received the Darien Old Timers' Athletic Association Award and was inducted into the Association's Hall of Fame. An avid sportsman, Mr. Palmer fished and hunted in Montana and upstate Connecticut, and frequently fished in Long Island Sound; he skied in Colorado and Vermont, and golfed in Connecticut, Vermont and Florida. He was a member of Woodway Country Club and Manchester (VT) Country Club. Besides his wife, Mr. Palmer is survived by three children, John Palmer of Telluride CO, Cindy Palmer Dean of Redding, and Steven Palmer of Norwalk. He leaves three grandchildren, Marlee Palmer of Telluride CO, Megan Dean of Stamford and Travis Dean of Redding. His two brothers, Joseph Palmer of New Canaan and Alphonse Palmer of Darien, also survive Mr. Palmer. A memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church at 1864 Post Rd, Darien on Friday May 29, 2009 at 11:00 AM. Interment will be private. Donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th floor, Norwalk CT 06851 or at www.multiplemyeloma.org. The Edward Lawrence Funeral Home, 2119 Post Rd., Darien is handling the arrangements. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820 Visitation: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820