Francis U Palmer

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Longtime Staten Islander Francis Palmer, 81, of West Brighton, a retired bank executive who loved to travel, died Wednesday in the Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, in Castleton Corners, after a decade-long battle with Parkinson's disease.

He was born Francisco Palma in Limache, Chile, and served in the Chilean air force.

Mr. Palmer came to the United States in 1964, moving to Brooklyn. He moved to Fort Wadsworth in 1969 and lived there for 25 years before settling in West Brighton 20 years ago.

He graduated from New York University, Manhattan, with a degree in business administration and during his career worked in telecommunications, including stints at Pan-American World Airways, Citibank and Kings County Hospital. He retired from Republic National Bank as a vice president in 1992.

Mr. Palmer enjoyed history, classical music, photography and traveling — a passion he developed while working as a ship's purser in his youth. He was particularly fond of journeying to Italy and Spain.

His wife of 34 years, the former Rosemary Murdoch, died in 1994.

Surviving are his sons, Francis and Nicholas; his daughter, Rosemary Palmer; two sisters, Maria Eliana Bozzolo and Rosa Maria Bozzolo, and two grandchildren.

The memorial service will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners. Arrangements include cremation.