Charles "Charlie" Palmer

Charles “Charlie” Palmer, 41, of Milford, CT, passed away on Monday August 19, 2019. Born on April 11, 1978, in Norwalk, CT, he was the son of Christine Parent and Felix “Phil” (Susan) Palmer. Charlie was raised by his Aunt Jean and Uncle John Wanat in Westport, CT.

Charlie graduated from the ACES Adult Career and Community Empowerment Support Services (ACCESS) program in North Haven, CT, in 1999. He was actively involved over the next 20 years with his Bridges Healthcare “family”. Charlie loved spending time with friends, walking on the beach, collecting seashells and sea glass, listening to music (especially Selena), designing and creating his own jewelry, and writing poetry. He had a beloved moose collection, and recently began tending to the garden at Bridges. 

Charlie was possibly the most generous person in this world. He got so much joy from giving gifts to others, many of them handmade. He loved others deeply and was such a gentle and caring soul. He brightened up the whole room with his infectious smile. His laugh was contagious. He had a huge, kind, and pure heart. Charlie was cherished, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.    

In addition to Jean and Susan, he leaves behind his best friend and boyfriend, Shawn Chappel; his siblings, Susan (Michael) Casey, David Gorden, Debbie Borges, Kathy Gorden and Ruth Chambers; his nieces and nephews, Samantha Ross, Joseph, Alyssa and Vincent Borges, Elizabeth and Jessica Casey; his aunts and uncle, Anne Palmer, Rosalind Palmer, and Tony (Susan) Palmer; his cousins, John and Jeanmarie Wanat, Lisa Cisero, Carl Palmer, Wendy and Michael Palmer. In addition to his parents and his Uncle John, Charlie is predeceased by his uncles Carlo Palmer and Peter Palmer, Jr.

The family is grateful to all of the staff and clients at Bridges Healthcare for all of the comfort, care, and friendship they shared with Charlie throughout the years. 

A graveside service will be held at the Willowbrook Cemetery in Westport, CT at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2019.

For the past 20 years, Charlie participated in the annual Folks on Spokes and Step Forward Memorial Walk, and he had planned to walk again this year. To participate in this year’s fundraiser to benefit the Bridges Healthcare Program on Sunday September 15, 2019, please visit https://www.bridgesct.org/website/publish/newsroom/eventsList.php?6 for details and to pre-register.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Charles "Charlie" Palmer, please visit our Tree Store.