Obituary of James K. Palkert

James K. Palkert, 66, of Vestal NY died January 6, 2023. Jim was suffering with health issues-G.I., heart, and cancer. He died at home. Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years, Tina Palkert née Cibik, their children and grandchildren: in Appalachin Lisa (36) (Ryan), Alaina (17), Evan (14), tiny baby girl to be born 2/24/2023; Gabriel (33) in Vestal; Jayson (29) (Caitlin), Teagan (3), and Avaree (1) of Phoenix AZ. Also, nine siblings and their spouses, brother-in-law Fred (Ann) of Cedarburg WI, sister-in-law Claire of Atlanta Ga, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, aunts, uncle, cousins – many from Winnipeg, Manitoba and other areas of Canada. Jim hails from Minneapolis MN where many relatives and friends live. He attended Totino Grace Highschool (yes, like the pizza). He graduated from the University of St. Thomas where he later earned his Masters Degree in Finance. Jim and Tina met on the second day of their freshman year in college. They were married in September of 1979 in Waukesha WI. They lived and worked in Minneapolis for 6 years, and had work related moves to Orlando and Tampa FL. In 2004 the family moved to Vestal NY where Jim worked until retirement as a finance director at British Areospace Enterprises (BAE). Jim was a family man to the core. He experienced deep relationships with family and friends. He was an outdoorsman who loved hiking, biking, backpacking, bushwhacking, and especially fishing and canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) in northern Minnesota, as well as Quetico National Forest in Canada. A deeply spiritual man, his Catholic faith was at the center of who he was. He was a member of St Vincent's Blessed Sacrament Parish in Vestal NY. Although ill, Jim's death was sudden and unexpected, leaving a hole in many hearts. What a good man he was. Memorials may be made the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Church, Clubhouse Road, Vestal, Saturday, January 21, 2023 at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at St. Vincent de Paul Blessed Sacrament Church, Saturday January 21 from 9 a.m. until 9:45 a.m.