Obituary of Walter J Palmer, Jr.

Captain Walter Palmer Jr. passed away, unexpectedly, on February 14, 2022. He was 83 years old. Walt was born in Camden, NJ to the late Walter Palmer Sr. and Mary Palmer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Gerri Palmer (nee Konesky); his loving children, Walter (Clarice) Palmer III, Steven (Rose) Palmer; his grandchildren, Jason (Danielle) Palmer, Steven (Traci) Palmer, Walter Palmer IV, Raymond Palmer, Christian Palmer; his great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Abigail, Lucy, Steven; his siblings, the late Philip (Marie) Palmer, Richard (Gloria) Palmer, as well as several loving nieces and nephews. Walt was raised in Philadelphia's Mayfair section and he graduated from Mastbaum High School in 1957 with a strong concentration in music. He went on to receive many music accolades, awards and education certificates, including an Honorary Lifetime Membership in Tri-M Music Honor Society's National Association for Music Education. Walt was particularly proud of this recognition because it was the result of his direct mentoring of the young music students at Lower Cape May Regional High School, as voted by the students. Walt was a well-known, world-class tenor sax and woodwind player who played with many very accomplished musicians and big names throughout his life. Most recently, Walt was a member of Linda Gentille and the New Jersey Shore Pops, The Summer Club, Cumberland County Community College's Jazz Band and Wind Ensemble (under the direction of Joe Akinsas), The John Walter Cape Community Band, The Cape May Jazz Band, The Philly Friends Band, and various other projects including many shows as a pit band member at the Levoy Theatre in Millville. Music was a passion that was a common theme in his life from beginning to end. Walt also had a love for deep-sea fishing and he spent many sailing hours learning the seas to ultimately achieve his U.S Coast Guard Captains License. He went on to be the owner/operator of the certified sport fishing vessels, Noreaster and Noreaster II, out of Cape May, NJ, from 1973 through 2002. Captain Walt remains an experienced and highly respected member of the Cape May fishing community. Prior to his fishing life, and in addition to his early music career, Walt's professional life included time spent as a Philadelphia Police Officer, as well as an Investigator and, ultimately, Claims Manager for the City of Philadelphia's City Solicitors Office. In 1983, Walt and Gerri moved permanently to their home in Cape May, where he had a wonderful life spending time with his ever growing and loving family, traveling cross-country and camping with Gerri, Curly the Macaw, and their five cats in his beloved RV. A Celebration of Walt's life and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 11am at St. John of God Church, 680 Townbank Road, North Cape May, NJ. Relatives and friends may call from 10-11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a local animal shelter. Condolences may be shared at www.evoyfuneralhome.com