George Alfred Palmer

Groton - George Alfred Palmer, 92, of Groton, passed away Saturday morning, June 22, 2013, at Mystic Healthcare in Mystic.

He was born in Auburn, N.Y., on Jan. 1, 1921, the son of John Arthur and Florence Rebecca (Miller) Palmer.

George was married to Virginia Rose Copeley on Dec. 4, 1943, in Miami, Fla. Virginia predeceased him on Nov. 17, 2011.

George was a graduate of Penn State University, which he enjoyed supporting until his demise. He remained a lifetime loyal follower of the Penn State Nittany Lions football team.

George was a decorated World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy on the destroyer USS Doyle. He was involved with the Invasion of Normandy on D-Day and was later honorably discharged. He continued to serve as an inactive member of the U.S. Naval Reserves until 1956. In 1956, he moved to Groton, where he worked at Electric Boat until his retirement in 1983.

He is survived by a son, Allen Palmer (Rosemary) of Old Saybrook; two daughters, Penelope Sherrard (James) of Mystic and Marilyn Flagg (Claude) of Anacortes, Wash.; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two sisters, Catherine Elizabeth Ballantine and Helen Margaret Robertson.

He was predeceased by two brothers, John Arthur Jr. and Merritt Miller Palmer.

Funeral services and interment will be private.

Byles-Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames St., Groton, is handling all arrangements.

Please visit www.byles.com to sign the guestbook or to share a memory.

Donations in his memory may be sent to the organization of one's choice.