Steven J. Palmer

Steven James Palmer passed away peacefully on August 24, 2026, surrounded by his family after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. He leaves a deep void among his family and friends.

Steve was born on June 8, 1967, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and grew up in Fairfield, where he lived the rest of his life. His parents, two brothers, and most of their children still live there and continue the tradition of Sunday family dinners. He attended Roger Ludlowe High School, where he formed lifelong friendships, played various sports, and was voted “Typical Senior” in the class of 1985.

After college, Steve began a more than 20-year career in municipal planning and zoning. He served as director in Westport, Bethel, and New Canaan, earning an outstanding reputation in each town as a reasonable, thoughtful, and competent official.

In 2020 he left the public sector to join the family business, Judge Tool & Gage in Stratford, CT where he thrived, helping his father, Joe, bring the 70-year-old company into the digital age. He had recently hired his son Michael, to ensure the business would remain in the family for future generations.

Among so many other things, Steve loved golfing, beautifying his home and yard, traveling, hosting Sunday family dinners featuring his famous baked ziti, and showing off his expert body-surfing skills on beach vacations. He was kind, warm, engaging and quick-witted. He put people at ease and always had a ready sense of humor, never missing an opportunity to drop a well-timed one-liner to keep things light.

Steve was at his best when surrounded by his family. He was a steady presence and a constant source of strength, wisdom and had a quiet way of making everyone feel special and loved. He also had a gift for connecting with the children of our family. They gravitated to him naturally, drawn by his playful spirit and the effortless way he could make them smile, laugh, and open up. Even the family dogs seemed to love Steve the most.

Steve is survived by his beloved and devoted wife, Theresa; his children, Michael and Kelly, and their mother Karla; his parents, Joe and Gwen; his brothers, Chris (wife Marjory) and Joe (wife Colleen); his nieces and nephews, Casey (husband Jack), Tommy (fiancé Caitlin), Kylie (husband Jack), Sam, and Drew; his great-nephew, Maclay; Theresa’s children, whom he loved so dearly—Christian (wife Jessica), Allison (husband Michael), Matthew (fiancé Victoria), Helen, and Fisher (husband Greg); and Theresa’s grandchildren, Blakely, Pasquale, Walker, and Giada, who called him Papa Steve.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday August 31, 2026 at St. Pt. Pius X. Church, 8364 Brookside Drive, Fairfield, CT 06824. Friends and family may visit at the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Rd, Fairfield on Sunday from 2-5PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Smilow Cancer Hospital.