Obituary of Gerald S. Palma

Mr. Gerald S. "Jerry" Palma, 84, of Wesleyan Avenue, Amsterdam, passed away suddenly Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at St. Mary's Hospital. Born on August 20, 1923 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania he was the son of the late Peter and Edna Born Palma. Jerry was educated in Schenectady and was a 1943 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School. He served briefly with the United States Navy before being honorably discharged. He first worked for the Malta Test Station and later Alco Locomotive. Most of his career was spent with General Electric as a draftsman, where he retired in 1985. He was predeceased by his sister, Francis Turiel; and a step granddaughter, Shannon Ryan. His loving family includes his wife, Shirley Sager Palma; one daughter, Darlene Higgins and her husband James of Schenectady; one son, Peter Palma of Slingerlands; step children, Debbie Doin and her husband Richard of Amsterdam, Penny Ryan and her fiancé David Iannotti of Perth, Kate Dahm of Fultonville and Walter Dahm of Fultonville; a brother in law, Michael Turiel of Clifton Park; a granddaughter, Corinne Higgens; step grandchildren, Richard Doin, Nicole Cadwell, Meaghan Ryan; two step great grandchildren, Zachary and Blaze Cadwell; several cousins and close friends. A Legacy Candle Ceremony will be celebrated on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at 3 o'clock at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam. Calling hours will be held from 1 until 3 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Montgomery County S.P.C.A. in care of the funeral home office.