James Palma, Sr.
January 29, 1926 — January 18, 2015
James Gilbert Palma Sr.
James Palma, Sr. of Stamford, CT died peacefully at home on Sunday, January 18, 2015. Jim was born on Staten Island, NY, January 29, 1926 to the late Joseph A. and Marie Moore Palma. He grew up in Staten Island, NY and met Alexanderina (Sandy) O'Neill, his wife of 59 years, at his best friend's wedding.
After serving in the US Navy during WWII, Jim attended University of Miami where he played basketball and proudly wore green and orange; one might say he was swept up to heaven by a Hurricane. His career was all about people and cars. He was the business manager at the first Ford dealership on Staten Island - Palma Ford. Moving to Stamford, he worked at Healey Ford and later at Minchin Buick as their business manager. He was very generous with his time, talent and treasure to the Catholic Church, supporting his brother, a Franciscan priest and his sister, a nun with the Immaculate Heart of Mary order; and countless religious organizations. Jim was a quiet man, would reject a witty remark when least expected. He loved his family deeply and intertwined his faith into the fabric of his life.
Jim is survived by his wife Alexanderina, his children James G. Palma, Jr. married to Kathleen B. Palma with Timothy and Rebecca of West Hartford, CT; Larry P. Palma married to Lori F. Palma with Kelly and Alison of Stamford, CT; John A. Palma of Fairfield, CT; and Gregory J. Palma (in heaven). His daughter Eileen M. Palma Smith (in heaven) was married to Gregory M. Smith of Newport Beach, CA with Gregory Jr. of Brooklyn, NY; and Erin Smith Hansen married to Kevin Hansen with ( great-grandchildren) Elizabeth (Lizzie) and William Gregory James of Lake Forest, CA. His brother Raymond Palma married to Margaret Palma of Brick, NJ, and sister Eileen M. Palma, IHM, Immaculate Heart of Mary Center of Scranton, PA. His 8 older siblings - Marie, Joseph, John (Fr. Greg, OFM), David, Robert, Alice Wilcken, George (Bud) and Richard Palma greeted him in heaven.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford.You are welcome to celebrate Jim’s life at a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 10:00 AM at St. John RC Parish, 1986 Boston Post Road, Darien. Fr. Robert Kinnally, Rector of St. John Fisher Seminary will be presiding at the Mass and Burial will follow immediately at Lakeview Cemetery, South Main Street, New Canaan.
In lieu of flowers, Jim requested you consider a donation made to:
St. John Fisher Seminary, 894 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905-2518 or to
Immaculate Heart of Mary Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509-1598
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com
James Palma, Sr. of Stamford, CT died peacefully at home on Sunday, January 18, 2015. Jim was born on Staten Island, NY, January 29, 1926 to the late Joseph A. and Marie Moore Palma. He grew up in Staten Island, NY and met Alexanderina (Sandy) O'Neill, his wife of 59 years, at his best friend's wedding.
After serving in the US Navy during WWII, Jim attended University of Miami where he played basketball and proudly wore green and orange; one might say he was swept up to heaven by a Hurricane. His career was all about people and cars. He was the business manager at the first Ford dealership on Staten Island - Palma Ford. Moving to Stamford, he worked at Healey Ford and later at Minchin Buick as their business manager. He was very generous with his time, talent and treasure to the Catholic Church, supporting his brother, a Franciscan priest and his sister, a nun with the Immaculate Heart of Mary order; and countless religious organizations. Jim was a quiet man, would reject a witty remark when least expected. He loved his family deeply and intertwined his faith into the fabric of his life.
Jim is survived by his wife Alexanderina, his children James G. Palma, Jr. married to Kathleen B. Palma with Timothy and Rebecca of West Hartford, CT; Larry P. Palma married to Lori F. Palma with Kelly and Alison of Stamford, CT; John A. Palma of Fairfield, CT; and Gregory J. Palma (in heaven). His daughter Eileen M. Palma Smith (in heaven) was married to Gregory M. Smith of Newport Beach, CA with Gregory Jr. of Brooklyn, NY; and Erin Smith Hansen married to Kevin Hansen with ( great-grandchildren) Elizabeth (Lizzie) and William Gregory James of Lake Forest, CA. His brother Raymond Palma married to Margaret Palma of Brick, NJ, and sister Eileen M. Palma, IHM, Immaculate Heart of Mary Center of Scranton, PA. His 8 older siblings - Marie, Joseph, John (Fr. Greg, OFM), David, Robert, Alice Wilcken, George (Bud) and Richard Palma greeted him in heaven.
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford.You are welcome to celebrate Jim’s life at a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 10:00 AM at St. John RC Parish, 1986 Boston Post Road, Darien. Fr. Robert Kinnally, Rector of St. John Fisher Seminary will be presiding at the Mass and Burial will follow immediately at Lakeview Cemetery, South Main Street, New Canaan.
In lieu of flowers, Jim requested you consider a donation made to:
St. John Fisher Seminary, 894 Newfield Avenue, Stamford, CT 06905-2518 or to
Immaculate Heart of Mary Center, 2300 Adams Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509-1598
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com
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