Daniel J. Palmiter

Daniel was born in Brooklyn, NY to Marcella and James McGee. He was cared for by Sophie Dichtelmuller and Clayton Palmiter and was later adopted by them due to the death of his mother Marcella.

He enlisted in the US Navy in 1944 and was honorably discharged in 1946 at the rank of Seaman 2nd Class having served on the USS Sampson, USS Tadcen, and USS Holland.

During his tenure in the Navy, he received the American Area Medal, WWII Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Area Medal. Daniel took great pride talking about his service to his country, many of his stories and experiences that he had while in the navy he shared with his grandson Daniel Colon, which were instrumental in his grandson’s decision in joining the navy himself in 2009. His grandson recently had the privilege of sharing the news of his recent promotion to Ensign on a recent visit with his grandfather and a memory he’ll cherish forever.

Daniel met his wife Florence when he was 13 at a church dance, and on Oct 16, 1949 they became husband and wife at Miraculous Medal Church in Maspeth, NY, and lived happily together for 68 years before she passed away in 2017.

With the help of the GI Bill, they purchased their first home in Hicksville, living there until he was 91. He was mostly employed as a lithographer in various shops in NY City and Long Island.

Along with his wife Florence, they enjoyed traveling often just packing a suitcase, jumping in the car and following the road to unplanned destinations. But as the family of 2 grew to a family of 5, trips became more structured and while many trips were taking throughout the US, his favorite was vacationing in Lake George, NY, where they spent many summers renting a family cottage at Porters Cottages.

In later years, his daughter Barbara, along with his wife, would accompany him on trips to Maine, The Berkshires in Mass, Atlantic City and a surprise trip to Baltimore from Barbara to see a show on the USS Brown. He enjoyed listening to the music of the Big Band Era, and took a special enjoyment when it involved taking a trip with Barbara to see a Broadway Show on Long Island, Maine, and NJ.

Daniel loved museums, and it wasn’t unusual to always see him with either a book in his hands or the tv remote control where he spent many hours watching Turner Classic Movies. while indulging on his favorite snacks. Westerns seem to be his favorite.

Daniel loved dancing with his wife, often at weekly dances at various ballrooms and dance halls. They took ballroom dance together but found the Lindy to be their favorite. He loved zoot suits and pocket watches.

It wasn’t unusual to find them at some flea market in Connecticut or wherever a craft show was being given on any given weekend.

Of the many cars he owned throughout his life and there were quite a few, his 1957 Ford Fairlane seemed to be his favorite.

While others would scour the menu when the family went out to eat, it would be a surprise to see him order anything other than a burger, fries and a milkshake.,more often than not at some mom and pop family diner.

At the end, when he was able to get out for a few hours, he loved a bottle or 2 of some ice cold beer in a frosty mug at the Village Idiot.

He took great pride in his wall paper hanging and was quite the painter.

In his 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s, he got pretty serious about bowling, even going to Chicago to bowl in a team event. Joining his family , he enjoyed roller skating and sledding.

He belonged to The American Legion, Elks, VFW.

He is survived by his daughter Barbara and her husband Dennis Colon

His sons, Clayton and Daniel Jr. , his wife Maureen. Grandchildren, Daniel Colon, his wife Jill, Jennifer, Daniel Palmiter, Chrissy, her husband John, Jodie, her partner Kevin. Great grandchildren, Caitlin, Allison, Brianna, Gabby, James, his wife Ashley, Robert. Great great grandchildren Emma and Jason.

He was loved very much by his family and will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank everyone for their love and support during this difficult time

There will be a catholic funeral mass on Saturday, 9:15 am at Our Lady of Mercy, 500 South Oyster Bay Rd, Hicksville with the burial at St John's Cemetery, 80-01 Metropolitan Ave in Middle Village.