Christopher C. Palen

Christopher Charles Palen, 59, of Burlington, CT died on April 23, 2022 at the Hospital of Central Connecticut surrounded by love after a courageous three year fight with pancreatic cancer. He was the beloved husband of over 28 years of Lisa K. Palen and loving father to Lauren E. Palen and Michael J. Palen. Chris was born in Waterbury on January 9, 1963, to Jesse Miller Palen, II and Hazel Althea (Derry) (White) Palen.  He was a graduate of Terryville High School and Tunxis Community College.  He worked for PPG Industries (formerly Keeler & Long) for 30 years and achieved NACE Certified Coating Inspector Level III with the Nuclear Supplement.  He was a proud member of the ASTM Committee D33 on Protective Coatings for Power Generation Facilities.

Chris was a skilled craftsman, carpenter and painter and built his dream home with Lisa and brother-in-law Mark Gnitzcavich 25 years ago. Despite his illness he completed several large home improvement projects and would lend a hand to anyone in need.  He took great pride in creating a home where many happy family memories were made.

A lover of nature and travel, Chris completed the Outward Bound Colorado Mountaineering and  Florida Keys Sailing courses.  He had a large circle of friends and was never short of pals to go downhill or backcountry skiing and snowboarding, backpacking along the Appalachian trail, hiking the Grand Canyon, hiking and skiing Tuckerman’s Ravine in NH, surfing, road or mountain biking and sailing.  He supported organizations such as Appalachian Mountain Club and completed a 100 mile Tour of the Litchfield Hills charity bike ride. 

Above all, his greatest pleasure was being with his children.  His legacy will live on in them as Lauren’s love of gardening, decorating, skiing and History and Michael’s love of backpacking, skiing, surfing, mountain biking and longboarding. 

In addition to his wife and children, he leaves two sisters, Nancy Gnitzcavich and her husband Mark of Northfield, CT and Kimberly Parker and her husband Michael of Lakeville, CT; three brothers, Jack White and his wife Carolyn of Billings, Montana, Donald White and his wife Denise of Bristol, CT, Jesse M. Palen, III and his wife Angela of Plymouth, CT , in-laws Stanley and Aurora Kulasenski of Bristol, CT, brother-in-law Robert Kulasenski of Utah, and brother-in-law Richard and wife Georgianna Kulasenski of Bristol, CT and many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.  He also leaves his lifelong adventure-traveling friends Jeff Towill, Rich Bachand, Kai Baker, Tony Scaramuzza, Charlie Radcliff, Jack Sullivan and Steve LeBlanc.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Melissa Jane Palen, childhood friend John Douglas MacDermid and sweet dog Eddie.

Chris’s family would like to thank the many healthcare workers who worked tirelessly to provide hope and care during his illness.  Chris considered them angels doing God’s work.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday April 29, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Trinity Church 160 Main Street, Thomaston.  The family will receive visitors prior from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Scott Funeral Home, 169 Main St., Terryville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to St. Peter’s Trinity Church, St. Jude’s or Wounded Warrior Project. The Scott Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements. To leave a message of remembrance, please visit  www.scottfuneralhomeinc.com

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