Neil Alan Palmer, 68, passed away with his loving family by his side on Sunday, October 15, 2017 at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare. Neil was born in Cooperstown, NY on January 20, 1949, the youngest son of Norman and Madeline (Hoffman) Palmer. He was raised on a dairy farm in Cherry Valley, NY and was educated at Sharon Springs Central Schools, Class of 1967. A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Bachelor’s and Master’s Civil Engineering programs, he then went on to take a position with Volunteers In Service to America in Cincinnati, OH. In his position there, Neil worked with community members in preparation for the construction of an interstate highway. He returned to New York State in 1974 to take a civil engineer position with the NYS DOT, and retired from the state in 2012. Through the years he was involved with various roles of service to his church and Shiloh Christian Family Campground while also volunteering his time to various community activities with the Utica Marsh Council. On October 14, 1978, Neil was joined in marriage to Ada Kindon. They shared thirty-nine loving years together, raising and “sowing seeds of truth and love” into their four children in Whitesboro, NY. Neil will always be seen as the loving hero of his family. He was a skilled handyman and master tinkerer who could fix just about anything. Also a quiet and contemplative thinker, he had the ability to speak with wisdom and wit while adding a healthy dose of humor. His heart was filled with compassion for others, generously giving of his time and talents. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ada; father-in-law and mother-in-law James and Rachel (Lewien) Kindon; son, Alan Palmer; daughter Lisa (Palmer) Mount; daughter and son-in-”love” Amy (Palmer) and Paul Pickett; daughter and son-in-”love” Karen (Palmer) and Chauncey Brown; grandchildren Keegan Torres, Aiden Mount, Dustin Mount, and Gemma Pickett; sister and brother-in-law Carol (Palmer) and Carmen Ciancetta. He is predeceased by his grandparents Charles and Mary (Rodman) Hoffman; grandparents Clarence and Lena Palmer; parents Norman and Madeline (Hoffman) Palmer; sister and brother-in-law Louise (Palmer Downing) and Norman Gilbo; brother and sister-in-law Carl and Joan (Somers) Palmer. All are invited to attend calling hours Friday from 6-8:30pm at Calvary Gospel Church, 300 Main Street in New York Mills. On Saturday there will be a celebration of life service at the church from 11am-1pm, with a luncheon thereafter. In memory of Neil, please consider a donation to any of the following that touch your heart: Houghton College Education Department Scholarship Fund, Shiloh Christian Family Campground, or to the Palmer family for a donation in Neil’s name to a cancer research organization to be determined.