Nov. 3, 1940 – Jan. 2, 2012

Leroy "Lee" Palmer of Delafield passed away peacefully Monday, Jan. 2, 2012, surrounded by his family at the age of 71. Lee was born Nov. 3, 1940, in Minneapolis, Minn., the son of Rufus and Hazel Palmer.

Lee was a proud and professional business owner of Automatic Fire Protection and was a great entrepreneur. He had a passion for boating and being on the water. When he was not fixing and restoring boats, he was driving them on the local lakes or on Chesapeake Bay while visiting his son. He loved traveling and went down to Florida several months of the year. Lee was well-known for his love for philanthropic services to the community and his charitable nature. He was an active member of St. Anthony on the Lake Catholic Church for many years. More than anything, Lee loved spending time with his family.

Lee will be dearly missed by his wife, Maggie (nee McMillan-Black) Palmer of Fort Meyers, Fla.; his children, Kelly (Tim) Bell of Hartland, Kathleen "Katie" (Jim) Brick of Waukesha and Stephen (Heather) Palmer of Pasadena, Md.; his six grandchildren, Ty and Sarah Bell, Aron and Caroline "Carrie" Brick and Jackson and Brooks Palmer; his brother, Bill (Anne) Palmer; his sisters, Jeanne Palmer and Margaret "Peggy" (Bob) Mitchell; his sister-in-law, Phyllis Palmer; and nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Sharon (nee Tighe); his daughter, Caroline; his brother, Jerry; and his sister, Jeanette (the late John) Dumas.

Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at the Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha. A second visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. until the 10 a.m. Mass of Christian burial Friday, Jan. 6, at St. Anthony on the Lake Catholic Church, W280-N2101 Prospect Ave (Highway SS), Pewaukee, WI 53072. The Rev. Anthony Zimmer will be officiating.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the CNAs, homemakers, nurses and staff at Shorehaven Health and Rehabilitation Center.

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated by the family to Shorehaven Health and Rehabilitation Center, 1305 W. Wisconsin Ave., Oconomowoc, WI 53066.

Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services is serving the family. For the online obituary or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.WaukeshasFuneralHome.com, or call 542-6609.