Steven Dell Palmer

"Granby, Steven Dell Palmer, Sr., entered into rest on June 13, 2016 at the age of 71 after a very long illness. He passed away in Hadley at the Elaine Care and Rehabilitation Center. Steve a longtime resident of Granby, was born on June 30, 1944 in Hartland, Maine to the late Adelbert and Elizabeth (Wilbur) Palmer. Steven was the beloved husband of 51 years to Victoria M. (Rogowski) Palmer, the devoted father of Steven Palmer, Jr. and his wife Lisa of Plattsburg, NY and loving grandfather to his very dear and precious little grandson, Dustin. He also is predeceased by his very dear loving aunt Marion Sinclair. In addition he is survived by his dear brother, Stanley Palmer and his wife Barbara of South Hadley; Brother-in-law Daniel Rogowski of Feeding Hills;brother-in-law Albin Rogowski of Orange;brother-in-law Lawrence Rogowski of Becket;sister-in-law Carolyn Rogowski of Ludlow; sister-in-law Virginia Harackiewicz and her husband Chester of Chicopee; and his many dear nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by sister-in-law Sylvia and Josephine Rogowski; brother-in-law Sylvester Rogowski, and dear niece Kimberly & Nephew Ronald. Steve was raised in Hadley on Knightly Rd., along side his brother Stanley. He was the very dear son of the late Adelbert & Betty Palmer. As a very young lad, Steve worked for many local neighborhood farmers in the fields picking asparagus, tobacco and potatoes white attending Hopkins Academy. Steve was an extraordinary and remarkable individual. He worked many years as a mason, huge heights as high as five stories, on commercial and public buildings, doing refurbishing and restoration to the exterior. He was an incredible fellow who for many years was faced with huge projects to handle and expedite. Steve always looked at each undertaking as a great challenge. Among his many accomplishments working on buildings, on college campuses, banks, libraries, churches, restaurants, apartment buildings, stores, public institutions and funeral homes. Steve worked in all the New England states. His mother, Betty, ran the company, Pioneer Surface Cleaning of New England. Steve was a hard and dedicated worker, worked along side his son and brother on many large projects. Later in years Steve worked as a van driver for Hulmes transportation. He got so much gratitude and satisfaction helping someone less fortunate with a disability. Steve at one point in his life was extraordinary at making fly fishing flies. He had that great artistic talent of knowing how to tie the many numerous patterns to perfection. He had tied commercial for different businesses, one was Orvis in Manchester, VT, Joe Sterling in Danforth, ME and others. In his spare time Steve took great pleasure in raising vegetables in his two gardens. Through the years he enjoyed making trips to ME with his family to visit relatives. He also enjoyed traveling to auctions, flea markets and tag sales especially socializing with regulars who frequently went too. Steve also had a love for bowling with the large balls at Fairlanes Bowling in Chicopee. He bowled with different leagues. His team was called the Ball Busters. He always enjoyed competition and a challenge. Steve's greatest and most favorite pastimes was his great passion for hunting, fishing and boating. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, walking in the wilderness and hiking the many trails in Western Mass. For many years he was a member of the Chicopee Sporting Club in Granby. He enjoyed archery and target shooting with his revolvers. At one time he volunteered his services as a security guard for the sporting club. Steve's greatest passion in life was fly fishing the Deerfield River in Shelburne and also the Swift River in Belchertown. Shortly after he moved to Granby the summer of 1970, Steve had a great desire and interest in CB's For many years he enjoyed chatting with his many friends on his CB, some from overseas. He just looked forward to connecting with his many friends. His family always remembered Steve for his greatest love for his dogs, Stokes, Chelsea and Heidi. He was such a dog lover, they meant the world to him. As a very young child and all through his adult life he had a great lifelong love for dogs. Steve would always say that he married the love of his life, best friend and childhood sweetheart. He will be very deeply missed by his family, and will remain forever in our hearts. With the help of very compassionate supportive staff, he lived in a safe and healthy environment. Steve's family would like to give special heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff at Hadley of Elaine for their exceptional care, to all the loving caregivers for all their devotion and kindness. Steve will be dearly missed and forever loved by his family. His memory will be deeply cherished forever by his loved ones. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements."