Charles W. Palmer

He was born in Washington, D.C. June 6, 1942 son of the late Col. ( U.S. Army Ret.) John M. and Katherine ( Moore ) Palmer

Charles grew up in a military family and lived on military bases throughout the United States and Europe. He, himself, served in the Army, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. After earning a master's degree in international economics at George Washington University, he began his business career with IBM in Washington, DC. In 1971, he transferred to the New Haven IBM office, where he met and married Linda Hall. Charles continued his business career with IBM and other information technology firms until his retirement.

Charles, however, is best known for his many passions: cooking, hunting and fishing, woodworking, church, reading, NASCAR, and baseball. There isn't anything he liked better than spending a day in the kitchen, cooking and baking for family and friends. At dinner time, he would serve his culinary creations and share an evening with those he loved. Charles was also an avid sportsman and hunter. He was the current president of the Tunxis Club in Tolland MA, where he and Linda maintained a home among a community of friends who shared their interests. His precision and attention to detail made him a skilled cabinet maker, and he built and finished many of the beautiful pieces of furniture in their home.

Charles was an active contributor to his church, Christ Episcopal Church in Oxford CT, as a lay minister and member of the Vestry. He applied his woodworking skills to the restoration of the altar rail there. He was also proud of his Masonic membership.

And when Charles was finished with the day's activities, you could always find him reading one of his favorite books, with either the NASCAR races or a Yankee game going on in the background.

In addition to his wife Linda, Charles is survived by his sister Rev. Marylou Palmer of Ocala, FL

Funeral Services will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Thursday May 19, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with the Rev. George N. Crocker officiating. Interment will follow in Brookside Cemetery. Friends will be received at the Carpino Funeral Home 750 South Main St., Southbury, CT on Wednesday May 18, 2011 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Those who wish may make contributions to Christ Episcopal Church in memory of Charles W. Palmer, 470 Quaker Farms Rd., Oxford, CT 06478. The Green Funeral Home 57 Main St., Danbury is in charge of arrangements