Thomas J Palmer

Thomas J. Palmer, 78, passed away at Ellis Hospital on Sunday, May 8, 2016. Born in Amsterdam, NY, Thomas was the son of the late Michael and Helen (Nichols) Riggi. Tom attended St. Mary's High School in Amsterdam and worked as a computer programmer for General Electric and the NYS Department of Social Services for many years. Tom will be remembered for his generosity, helping friends and neighbors in need and for his amusing jokes. He enjoyed jazz music greatly and playing pool with his buddies at Trick Shots and the Rotterdam Senior Center. He was a hardworking man and wonderful father and adoring grandfather. Tom is predeceased by his wife, Beverly (Comparone) Palmer. Tom leaves behind his children, Thomas J. Palmer (Lichun Wu) of Manassas, VA, Judene M. Bascue (future son-in-law David Ackley) of Niskayuna and Tara S. Palmer ofRochester, his grandchildren, Christopher and Charlie Palmer, Mitchell and Mason Bascue and Kendall Schaeffer. He also leaves behind his sisters, Faith Palmer, Michaela Farley and Vicky Gilmore. A memorial service honoring Tom's life will be held on Wednesday, May 11 at 6pm at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam, with calling hours held prior from 4 to 6pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Tom's family would like to extend a special thank you to his cousin, Tom Palmer and his wife, Nan for all of their kindness and help during the past few weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's name can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.