Obituary for Michael J. Palmaffy MICHAEL JOSEPH PALMAFFY October 11, 1936 – November 26, 2018 Former Vallejo City Councilman, Michael Joseph Palmaffy, 82, passed away unexpectedly Monday, November 26, 2018 at David Grant USAF Medical Center on Travis AFB in Fairfield following a sudden heart attack. Mike was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey. He joined the US Navy in 1955 and served for 22 years, mainly in the submarine service.
His tours of duty took him from coast to coast, Hawaii, and Europe. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling back to Germany and Scotland. He was transferred to Mare Island in 1971 where he and his family lived until 1977.
Following his retirement from the US Navy he worked at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard until 1993, and then was an Administrative Aide for Solano County Supervisor John Silva for 11 years. He had a love of public service and was dedicated to his community. In addition to being a Vallejo City Councilman, Mike was on the City of Vallejo Beautification Committee and the Greater Vallejo Recreational District Board of Directors.
Mike coached the boys baseball team at St. Vincent’s Elementary School, managed bingo at St. Patrick’s High School for many years and served on the St. Patricks’ High School Board of Regents. He was active in the Lions Club, Sons of Italy, Elks Club, and the Submarine Veterans of Mare Island. Mike was a Senior Volunteer for the Solano County CHP.
During his six years of volunteer service, he received the Senior Volunteer of the Year award for his unwavering commitment. He participated in educating the community such as the Drive Safe-Drive Smart program for seniors and the annual Toys for Tots drives. He loved stamp collecting, restoring old steamer trunks, golf, Blue Grass, Scottish, and Irish music and attended many festivals.
He led by example and showed what a difference one person can make by their actions. He had a unique sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him, most of all by his family.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth “Betty” (nee Buechter), his children Michelle M. Palmaffy, Michael J. (Amy) Palmaffy II, Patricia A. Huvane, and Susan L. (Tracy) Billington, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Palmaffy, brother Chris, son John, and son-in-law Paul T. Huvane. A memorial mass followed by Military honors will be held at 12 noon on Friday, December 14 at Saint Basil the Great Catholic Church, 1200 Tuolumne St., Vallejo.
Inurnment will be private at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon, California. In Lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s name can be made to United Submarine Veteran’s Charitable Foundation, USSV -CF –General Fund, P.O. BOX 3870, Silverdale, WA 98383—3870: CHP 9-11 Foundation, 2244 N State College Blvd. , Fullerton, CA 92831: St. Patricks/St. Vincents HS, 1500 Benicia Rd, Vallejo, CA 94591.
Cremation and arrangements entrusted to the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo (707) 552-6696. www. TwinChapelsMortuary.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Michael J. Palmaffy please visit our Sympathy Store.
Cemetery Details Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery 5810 Midway Road Dixon, CA, 95620 , Previous Events Memorial Mass , DEC 14.
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