1912 – 2003

LEWISTON – Thomas P. Palman Jr., 90, of 173 Meadowview, Lewiston, died Friday, Sept. 5, at the d’Youville Pavilion Nursing Home, where he had been a resident for the past month.

Born in Lewiston on Nov. 20, 1912, he was the son of Thomas Sr. and Appolonia Popowich Palman. Educated in local schools, he attended Lewiston High School.

On May 30, 1933, he was married to the former Antoinette Ouellette, who passed away on Aug. 26, 1989. During World War II he was employed in the South Portland Shipyard, and then worked for many years as the maintenance supervisor at the Bates Mill.

Prior to his retirement, he also worked for several years for Harriman Associates. A member of St. Patrick’s Parish, he belonged to the Polish Club and served on the board of directors of the Lewiston Housing Authority.

Always athletic, in his younger years he played on the Bates Mill softball and bowling teams, and, in his later years, enjoyed playing bumper pool with his friends at Meadowview. He also had a life-long love of crossword puzzles.

Known affectionately as “Big Daddy” to his family, he is survived by two sons, Richard and fiancé Pauline Bosse of Poland, and James and wife Patricia of Wilmington, Mass.; a daughter, Joline Palman Froton of Lewiston; two brothers, William Palman of Lewiston and Raymond and wife Joyce Palman of Lewiston; a sister, Stella Couture of Lewiston; seven grandchildren, Kurt and wife Mary Bridgette Palman, Gina Froton, Gregory Froton, Karen and husband Bill Backman, Debra and husband Dr. Craig McDowell, Amy and husband Chris Hereford, and James P. Palman; and five great-grandchildren, twins Colleen and Nicole Palman, Thomas Palman, and Emily and Erik McDowell.

He was predeceased by two brothers, John and Paul; and three sisters, Mary Mettello, Josephine Handy, and Frances Barrows.

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