Harold James Palmatier, 95, left this earth to join his Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 8, 2020 in Quarryville, Pennsylvania. He was born in Niskayuna, New York, the eighth and last survivor of nine children, to Clinton and Sara Palmatier. Because of the death of his mother during his childhood and a largely absent father he was raised by his older brothers and sisters. In March 1943, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in nearly continuous combat in a light mortar section for three years. He fought in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany and was in General George Patton's 3rd U.S. Army during the Battle of the Bulge. In his later years, whenever he was asked if he was tired, he would reply, "No, I walked all the way across Europe." After his honorable discharge from the Army he returned to the Ballston Spa, New York area where he lived for much of his life. On February 10, 1951, he married Marjorie June Pettit and they remained together through nearly 69 years of marriage. Their two sons, both also veterans, were raised in Ballston Spa and Harold and Marjorie were active in Ballston Center Presbyterian Church.
Harold was employed by Texaco for over 40 years. After their retirement, Harold and Marjorie moved to the Harbor Cove community in North Port, Florida where they enjoyed 20 years of warm weather and warmer friendships. Eventually, they relocated to the Quarryville (Pennsylvania) Retirement Community where they had five years of wonderful care, were surrounded by family, and where Marjorie continues to live. Possessing a beautiful singing voice and loving the old hymns, Harold was always welcome to sing, which he did constantly. At Quarryville Presbyterian, he brightened the caregivers' days by asking the women, "How do you do it? How do you look so beautiful!" He always referred to Marjorie as his "pretty little girl." Lacking a father figure during his childhood, he told his older brothers and sisters that he was going to try to be the perfect father. His legacy on this earth is in the family he leaves behind; son Thomas and his wife Shirley, son Randy and his wife Karen, four grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. Harold Palmatier's remains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Comments are closed.
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