PORTLAND — Donald Stephen Palmer Sr., 86, died Dec. 11, in Portland after a long battle with cancer.

He was born April 25, 1929 in Portland, the son of the late Karl V. And Helen R (Harlow) Palmer.

After graduating from Deering High School, Palmer enlisted in the Army and served during the Korean War. Following his military service, he graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. While at Wentworth he met his future wife, Mary E. Tetrault, with whom he celebrated 62 years of marriage in October.

Palmer worked in the heavy equipment industry as a sales and service consultant. He worked at Pape Chevrolet, Inc. part time as a shuttle driver after retiring.

He was a loyal member of the BPOE Elks in Portland and was a former Exalted Ruler. Palmer was happiest spending summers at the family camp on Bonney Eagle Pond, and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of his life. He also enjoyed water skiing, boating and traveling to Florida every spring with his entire family.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Donald S. Palmer Jr.; a brother, Phillip A. Palmer; and his aunt, Katherine Palmer.

Besides his wife, Palmer is survived by two daughters, Mary S. Palmer and Barbara A. French, five grandchildren, Kristopher D. Brady, Amanda S. Dumais, Nicholas R. French, Casey C. French and Stephen L. Molina; three great-grandchildren, Abigail, Zakk and Bentley; and a niece, Sandra Palmer Anton.

The family would like to extend their thanks to the staff at Mercy Hospital and Mercy Fore River.

Visiting hours will be held from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 16, followed by a memorial service at A.T. Hutchins Funeral and Cremation services, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland.

Palmer

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