TOPSHAM — Shraden “Sonny” T. Palmer, age 77, died suddenly at his home on Sunday January 31, 2016.

He was born December 9, 1938 in Mercer, PA a son of Shraden and Dorothia Poole Palmer. He was a graduate of Mercer High School, class of 1958. He married Birgit Abrahamsen June 12, 1962 in Pensacola, FL. The couple located to the Topsham area in 1971.

Following high school graduation, Sonny served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War with VP 10 and VP 11. Through his 20 years of service, he had been stationed all over the world, including Italy, Scotland, Thailand, Greece, Spain, and the Philippines.

Upon his retirement from the Navy, he worked for a short while with Metropolitan Insurance Company, and for the state of Maine painting the Brunswick-Topsham Bridge. He later retired after close to 20yrs of employment as an electrician with BIW. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, and hunting in the Black Mountains.

He is survived by his wife, Birgit of Topsham; two sons, Daniel Palmer, Sr of Topsham, John Mathews of Bailey Island; a daughter, Debra Schuster of Palm Bay, FL; a brother, Robert Palmer and his wife Diane of Mercer, PA; two sisters, Anita Filer and her husband Ray of Grove City, PA, Nancy Jenkins of Mercer, PA; grandchildren, Daniel Palmer Jr., Amber Lynn Palmer, Kimberly Mathews, Kacey Mathews, John Mathews, Jr., Kai Schuster, Carly Schuster; several nieces and nephews.

At Sonny’s request services will be private. Memories and condolences can be shared with the Sonny’s family at www.brackettfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions can be made in support of the Sagadahoc/Lincoln Area Special Olympics, to The First, c/o Sue Norton, P.O. Box 940, Damariscotta, Me 04543, Attn: Eagles Outreach or by visiting www.thefirst.com.