James R. Palma

GUILDERLAND James (Jimmy) R. Palma of Guilderland, died Sunday, February 5, 2006 at his home after a long illness. Jimmy was born on June 5, 1939 in Schenectady, N.Y. to the late Robert and Filomena Palma. He was a graduate of Nott Terrace High School and the Cascadilla Prep School. He also attended Northwestern University and Cornell University and was a member of the Army Reserves. Jimmy was an inventor and held many patents. All his life he was involved in the Palma Family businesses and served as president of Curry Development Corp. and Ritz Realty Corp. He was a commercial real estate broker and a homebuilder. At the age of 16 he received his pilot's license and furthered his licensing to acquire all US pilot ratings, was a flight instructor and owner of JR Aviation, Inc. He wrote and published many motorcycle articles that all ended with, Take Care, Be Safe & Be Happy. He was a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Commercial Board of Realtors, the Homebuilders Association, The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the American Motorcyclist Association. The Side Car Association, the Moto Guzzi National Owners Club, the Train Collectors Association, and the National Rifle Association. Jimmy knew how to live and enjoyed each and every day. While living in Italy, he met and married his wife, Rosemarie. With a love for spending time with his family and friends, whether flying to cities or over the Adirondacks, riding his Moto Guzzi motorcycles, riding snowmobiles, building scenic tracks for his extensive train collection, being with his dogs or living like a rock star, Jimmy lived his life to the fullest. Survivors include his wife, Rosemarie; three children, Robert, James Jr. and Filomena (Sherry). He was predeceased by his beloved daughter, Laura in 1979 from aplastic anemia. He was known as Pop-pop by his five grandchildren, Amanda, Audrey, Francesca Palma, Adriana and Niko Culnan. His siblings, Thomas (Nancy) Palma and sister, Roberta (Wayne) Foshee; and also survived by 11 nieces and nephews and several great-nieces, great-nephews, and his faithful canine companions, Bear and Mitzy. Calling hours will be Friday, February 10 from 6-8 p.m. at the DeMarco Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, February 11 at 10 a.m. at DeMarco Stone Funeral Home followed by interment in St. Anthony's Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to the National Bone Marrow Donor Program, c/0 The Marrow Foundation, 400 7th. St. NW, Suite 206, Washington, DC 20004 or the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at www.ASPCA.org. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Richard DeLuccia, 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam.