March 2022

Leonard A. Palmer, 83, of Middletown, passed away peacefully Tuesday March 29th.  

He leaves behind 10 children: Pauline Palmer and Courtney Palmer of New Britain, Paulette Linton and Lola-mae Palmer of Georgia, Ian Palmer of Bristol, Alstead Palmer, Lorraine Parchment and Orville Palmer of North Carolina, O'neil Palmer and Venessia Palmer of Meriden. 

He is predeceased by his 3 sons: Everton Palmer in 2010 formerly of Georgia, Everald Palmer in 2013 formerly of Middletown, and Paul Palmer in 2018 formerly of Meriden.  He also leaves numerous grandchildren across the US and Jamaica. 

Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 11th at 11 a.m. in the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland.  Burial will be in the family plot in Swedish Cemetery, Portland.  Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday, April 10th from 5-7 p.m.  

Daniel J. Primmer (Prim, Primmer) 66 of Higganum, CT died peacefully on Friday, March 25, 2022, just 1 week shy of his 67th birthday surrounded by his loving family. The April Fool was born in Providence, RI on April 1, 1955 to the late Bernard and Elaine (Sauro) Primmer. The family moved from Barrington, RI to Portland, CT in 1956 and Dan pretty much never left. A graduate of Portland High School Class of 1973, Dan had many accomplishments as he moved up in the ranks during the 35 plus years that he worked for the Town of Portland. Before retiring in 2016 he served as the Leadman Supervisor with the Portland Public Works Highway Dept. Dan had many interests including NASCAR racing, 1950's & 1960's  television, traveling, hot rods, car shows, WWII history of ships and planes, lawn tractors, telling terrible jokes and enjoying a cocktail or 2. He proudly served with the Portland Volunteer Fire Dept. Co. #2, marched on the drill team and belonged to many horseshoe and softball leagues in town. Dan was that guy that knew everybody and everybody knew him. He could usually be found holding court, while quenching his thirst, surrounded by his many friends. He is survived by his loving wife Shanelle (Barton) Primmer, his son Scott Clement, his 2 daughters, Christine Clement, Ashley Primmer and their families, his 3 sisters, Jeanne & Dennis Levesque, Patricia & Brian Lovato, Bonnie & Bill Weir, his 2 sister-in-laws, Sundy & Jean Martin, Shari Nielsen, his brother-in-law Garrett Barton, several nieces, nephews, cousins and his uncle, George Primmer.      The Primmer family took many trips together to participate in Barney Primmer's WWII naval shipmate reunions. One particular trip was to Albany, NY to visit the last remaining WWII destroyer escort, the USS Slater. Dan often talked about and wanted to return to the museum to work as a volunteer to help keep the last "tin can" afloat. We ask that in lieu of flowers you make a donation in Dan's name to help keep the history alive. Send donations to USS Slater, PO Box 1926, Albany, NY 12201 or visit the website ussslater.orgA Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, April 9th at 10 a.m. in St. Mary's Church, Portland.  Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Portland.  The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, is in charge of arrangements. 

Kevin J. Gubilee, 65, of Portland passed away on Thursday, March 17th in Hartford.  Born  on  January 6th, 1956 in  Middletown, he was the son of the late Joseph and Theresa (Thompson) Gubilee.  He had been a life long resident of Portland  and was the owner  of  Business  Telephone Systems of Portland for 30 years.  He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed music and playing his guitar.  He was also a member of St. Mary's Church of Portland.  

Kevin is survived by a brother, Scott and wife Kerri of Weston, FL; a sister, Susan Gubilee of Portland, two nieces and one nephew as well as his girlfriend, Irene Parkola of Middlefield.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, March 25th at 9AM in St. Mary's Church, Portland.  Burial will be in the family plot in Calvary Cemetery, Middletown. The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main Street, Portland is in charge of arrangements.

With sadness, we announce the passing of Robert (Chick) Baines, Sr. on Saturday, March 12, 2022 just a week after his 98th birthday. Born on March 5, 1924 to Mildred (Lawrence) and Samuel J. Baines, he was a life-long resident of Portland. 

Chick began working many odd jobs at an early age to help out his parents. He caught skunks, worms, and frogs and sold them to older residents. He helped his mom make her old- fashioned donuts, which were sold at The Gildersleeve Store where his father worked, he peddled milk for the Bengstons, and worked in the potato fields on High Street. He and his father would cross the “old” Middletown bridge and go to the Airline Railroad freight depot (near the trolley depot in Middletown) to pick up supplies for The Gildersleeve Store. Later, he worked on the Goodrich Tobacco farm picking, plowing, driving trucks and tractors, and keeping night guard in the tobacco barns. 

After graduating from Portland High in 1942, Chick entered the army where he served in France, Italy, and North Africa. He was wounded at age 19 on the front in Italy by a machine gun bullet (which was never removed from his hip) and by bomb fragments a few days later for which he received two purple hearts.

Upon returning from the war, Chick married Margaret Hale and in 1949 they purchased the house on Cox Road where he lived until his passing. He and Margie visited most of the 50 states. They had a lot of fun traveling. He loved mowing, plowing, and repairing his John Deere and Bolens tractors.  He cherished his time playing cards with Frank, Donald, Woody, and many others. Chick loved to tinker around the house and could fix just about anything for anyone. He had a keen sense of humor and loved to talk with anyone who would listen. When asked how old he was, he would jokingly answer 101—He nearly made it!! 

Chick was a seventy (plus) year member of the Portland Fire Department Company #2, serving in many of the positions, finally becoming Portland’s Fire Chief from 1972 until 1974. After that, he was chairman of the Co. #2 firehouse building committee. Finally, he became one of the department’s “old tymers”. He worked for Jarvis Manufacturing in Middletown for 36 years, retiring in 1988. 

He is survived by his daughter, Peggy Tierney and her husband Tom, grandsons Michael and Patrick (wife Heather) Tierney, daughter-in-law Sandra (Strickland) Baines, and many nieces and nephews.  Besides his wife of 54 years, Chick was predeceased by his son, Robert A. Baines, Jr., and brother Ed.

 Graveside services will be held on Friday, March 18th at 11 a.m. in Center Cemetery, Portland, with full military honors. Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, on Thursday, March 17th from 5-7 p.m. 

Memorial donations can be made to The Portland Volunteer Fire Department, Co., #2, PO Box 132, Portland, CT 06480 (for the restoration of the department’s 1947 Mack, engine #3.

On March 15th, 2022 Barry Murphy, 59, of East Hampton, CT passed away after a long hard battle fighting his illness.

He will be missed by his wife Ginger Murphy, her daughters Heather and Lauren Carey, his parents Jay and Paul Murphy, his children Kara Murphy (Rich), Erin Wells (Justin), their mother Rita and grandchildren Aspyn and Easton Wells. Also his sister Lisa Cohen (Steve) and his niece Jessica Cohen.

He was a graduate of Xavier and went on to have a long, distinguished career as a master carpenter and foreman for Partions Inc until his retirement in 2019. 

Barry loved being outdoors, especially taking long walks in the state forest with his beloved dog Cooper. Barry, Ginger and Cooper would frequently go on picnics, do a little fishing and make a big fire to cook on or just enjoy. 

He had a lifelong love of skiing, mostly mogul, which he passed on to his "favorite" niece Jessica. He also enjoyed golfing, boating and any outdoor activity. Barry grew his own tomatoes and mastered the perfect tomato sauce. He would spend hours cooking and canning his sauce. If you were lucky, you may have had a jar.

His love for music started at a young age listening to his radio after he was supposed to be sleeping as a child. He enjoyed playing his guitars and could name band members of most all rock bands. He went to many concerts in his life and this was a love he shared with his wife Ginger. He lived with his wife in Sheffield, MA for a few years but was happy to move back to CT, right down the road from his parents and spent a lot of time with them over the past few years. 

When Kara and Erin were in school he enjoyed coaching their softball and attending all other activities they had. He was so very proud of Erin and Kara for their accomplishments. He was also so proud of Lauren who is graduating college in May. 

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, March 26that 11:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Portland. Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland on Friday, March 25th from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will be at a later date in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Portland.