James G. Palmer

He is survived by his wife Elsie, his son Jim, daughter -in-law Silma, 2 grandchildren Christina (with husband Woody) and James R., and 3 great-grandchildren Holden, Ellie, and Lucy. Born in Virginia, James won 1st Place in CT State Art Competition (Sage Allen Award) during his Junior Year in High School. Many of his paintings and drawings are held and valued by his family. After a 4 year Toolmaker Apprenticeship, he then studied at the Bridgeport Engineering Inst, and Bullard Havens Tech and got Certified as a Journeyman Toolmaker. James spent most of his working years (29) as a Machine Shop Supervisor at Perkin-Elmer, where he was respected for his managerial and engineering skills as well as his diplomacy, optimism and sense of humor.

James designed and fabricated tools and helped reorganize departments. He had articles published in The Danbury News Times and Modern Machine Shop Magazine. One illustrated a technique he developed to greatly increase the capacity of a tracing attachment to generate optical curvatures, that was used in outer space. He also worked on U2 cameras. He enjoyed bird and duck Hunting, surf casting, bass & trout fishing, remote canoe trips, golf and skiing. He enjoyed making trout flies, spinning lures, unique furniture, novelty hat racks, and rocking chair elephants that his grandchildren (and later his great-grandchildren) rode and enjoyed. James also designed, planned, and built unique Kokopelli statues and mushrooms from concrete for family and friends. Funeral arrangements are Private. No Calling Hours. Any contributions may be made to The Danbury Music Centre, or to The Danbury Hospital Development Fund.