Fred M. Palen

Fred M. Palen, 92, husband of Mary J. (Pojasek) Palen, died Monday afternoon  September 30, 2019  in the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, surrounded by his family.   Born in Havehill on  October 29, 1926  he was the son of the late Joseph P. and Sophie M. (Wiecezak) Palen.

     Mr. Palen was a graduate of the former Haverhill Trade School in 1945.  After his graduation he entered the Army and was a veteran of World War II, he was honorably discharged in 1947.  Mr. Palen was employed at the Ford Plant in Somerville for 9 years.  Later he worked at Jordan Marsh in Peabody when it first opened at that location for 31 years.  He was truly loved and respected by many employees at Jordan Marsh because of his ability to fix anything.  Fred was a family man and avid boater, spending summers boating off Crane Beach swinning, fishing and clamming.  Two years after his retirement in 1989, Mr. and Mrs. Palen began spending their winters in Florida for the next 10 years.  He was a long time member of the Sacred Heart Polish Catholic Church in Ipswich and was very active at many Church functions.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Carrolton Council # 498 in Ipswich for many years. 

     In his retirement Mr. Palen’s hobby was woodworking, he made furniture for his children and toys for his grandchildren.  He was the person who was willing to drop anything he was doing to help his neighbors.  He was a perfectionist with everything  he did.  He was kind and compassionate to all especially to his grandchildren.

     Mr. and Mrs. Palen were married at the Sacred Heart Polish Catholic Church on  September 17, 1950, they recently celebrated their 69 wedding anniversary.

     Mr. Palen is survived by, in addition to his wife Mary of Ipswich, their four children:  Jane Collins of Amesbury, Jeffrey Palen of Ipswich, Susan Collins and her husband Stephen of Westfield, Sally Palen and her significant other James Malfitano of Newburyport.  He is also survived by his five grandchildren:  Sarah Collins, Patrick Collins, Maxwell Collins, Travis Collins and his wife Lauren, Danielle Bessen and her husband Jeffrey.  Also survived by his two sisters: Katherine O’Connor of Peabody, Frances Welsch of Haverhill as well as many nieces and nephews.  Mr. Palen was predeceased by four brothers and seven sisters.

     The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff at The Kaplan Family Hospice Center and Care Dimensions.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday  October 5th.  at  10:00 A.M.  at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church  54 Linebrook Road, Ipswich.  Burial will follow with military honors in the Cowles Memorial Cemetery  29 Town Frm Road, Ipswich.  Visiting hours will be Friday  October 4th.  from  5:00 to 8:00 P.M. in the Morris Funeral Home  45 North Main Street, Ipswich, relatives and friends are respectfully invited.  In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Mr. Palen’s name to:  the Kaplan Family Hospice House  78 Liberty Street  Danvers, MA  01923.  For directions or to send a condolence to the Palen family please go to:  MorrisFH.com .

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Fred M. Palen, please visit our floral store.