Obituary of George W. Palmer

Dr. George W. Palmer, 95, died Monday morning, following a brief illness. He is survived by his son, State Supreme Court Justice Richard Palmer, of West Hartford, daughter Peggy Palmer and son in-law Rick Hornung, of Haddam, and two grandchildren, Sarah Hornung, of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Gabriel Hornung, of Cambridge, Ma. The loving and devoted husband of Dorothy "Sis" Palmer – who predeceased him last year, George was married for 69 years. Each one, he would say, was the best of his life. A native of Middletown, George was born on Loveland Street, the youngest of five brothers and one sister. Throughout his life, he prided himself on his deep connections to the Middletown area and his even deeper bonds to the entire Palmer family. He was pre-deceased by his good humored and wisecracking siblings and spouses: Herbert and Norma Palmer, Arthur "Obbie" and Bert Palmer, Stewart "Tootie" and Ruby Palmer, Dr. Larry and Florence Palmer, and Dr. Saul and Janetta Seligman. After graduating high school at 16, George enrolled in what was then the Pennsylvania College of Optometry in Philadelphia, Pa. Upon graduating as an optometrist in 1942, George entered the U.S. Air Force, serving as an officer in the medical corps. During that time, he met the love of his life, Sis of West Hartford on a blind date. After his discharge in 1946, George returned to Connecticut and married his beloved Sis in a ceremony at the Bond Hotel in Hartford. For the first few years of their marriage, the Palmers lived in Hartford. In the late 1940s, George opened his practice on Middletown's Main Street. For the first few years, he would claim, most of his days were spent trying to solve the crossword puzzles as he waited for patients. By 1950, the Palmers moved to Wethersfield and started a family. As his practice began to grow and George became fixture on Main Street, George was honored at Zagorin's Delicatessen, where the owners named a sandwich after him – a variation of a Reuben, corned beef with sauerkraut, but without cheese. The half-sour pickle was mandatory. In addition to their Wethersfield home, the Palmers spent summers at Stannard Beach in Westbrook. Later in their lives, the Palmers added a winter residence in North Hutchinson Island, near Vero Beach, Fla. At Stannard Beach and in Florida, George and Sis perfected their mixed doubles game. While Sis blew away opponents with her serve, affectionately known as the heater, George's lightning reflexes at the net frequently led to a repertoire of overpowering smashes and deft drop shots. George delighted in his grandchildren, who count each year of their life with him as a blessing. He indulged Sarah and Gabe in wide ranging travels ranging from San Francisco to the south of France, endless platters of pie and ice cream, countless hours of debate and discussion about the beloved UConn Huskies, New York Giants and New York Mets.With panache and self-deprecating humor, the sunniest of dispositions, an open-hearted generosity and a quiet, but steady feel for the well being of his family, George graced this small corner of Connecticut with a long life full of blessings. At the end of Sis's life, he was a tireless caregiver. At end of his life, he peacefully passed, with a wink and a smile, knowing that his children and grandchildren cherish his memory. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday March 16th, 2016 at 2:00pm at Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, 55 East King's Highway, Chester, Ct. The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Vitas Hospice Care, Hospice Care at Middlesex Hospital, or Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek. Arrangements by Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, Centerbrook.