Barry James Palm

Barry James Palm of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and formerly of West Hartford, CT, died October 10, 2014. Barry was the beloved husband and lifelong partner of Barbara Cantor Palm, formerly of Greenwich, CT, and the proud father of Alicia Cantor Palm of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL and Michael Ian Charles Palm of New York, NY. An avid golfer, he had a long career in golf administration with the PGA TOUR Tournaments Association, the Arizona Golf Association, and the Professional Club Makers Society. Barry was a purist about golf course architecture and restoration and was responsible for the founding of the Donald Ross Society in 1988. He wrote regularly on the sport for several noted golf publications. His love of music originated with the Conard High School marching band, whose street-beat he continued to play into adulthood with whatever improvised drumsticks he could find. Barry was also an accomplished pianist; having recently given a moving rendition of "Amazing Grace" to an audience of several hundred fellow Friends of Bill W. at the Central Florida Men's Retreat. He wore the moniker "Doc Rock" with pride, rarely to be bested in any game of music trivia. A lover of poetry, especially that of Keats, Clare, and his friend, Ted Walker, Barry majored in English Literature at New England College. He loved the language and his skill in the art of the pun enlivened every gathering with his wisecracks and witticisms. Deeply inspired by nature, he embraced whatever environment surrounded him -from the Connecticut shoreline, to the woods of New Hampshire, the South Downs of Sussex, the deserts of Arizona and, most recently, the waterways of Northeastern Florida. He was both an avid birder and a master gardener. A peaceable, fair-minded, dignified and calming presence, Barry found great satisfaction in quietly serving others through the Make a Wish Foundation, Mission House, daniel, and local junior golf organizations. The son of Marjorie Fay and the late Charles Palm, of West Hartford, CT., he was the cherished and devoted brother of Kathleen Palm Devine and the late Joseph Devine; Robert Palm; Christine Palm and James Baker; Brian Palm and Mary Stokes; and Judy and Gary Stone. He also leaves behind ten nephews and nieces and their children. Barry believed that the mark of a man is measured by one's devotion to his children, family and friends. By those standards he clearly exceeded the mark. A private family service will be held. The family wishes to thank the many wonderful caregivers he had this year and his friends at Al Pablo Club in Jacksonville Beach, especially Bill K. Donations may be made to: American Brain Tumor Society: www.abta.org