Nolan Michael Palmateer

PALMATEER, NOLAN Michael, age 34, of Sharon, Massachusetts, formerly of Norwood, MA, and Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, died unexpectedly from complications of pneumonia and COVID-19 on January 10, 2023.


Born March 8, 1988, in Wilkes-Barre, PA, he was baptized at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Tunkhannock.


Nolan was best known for his sense of humor, piles of detailed drawings, love of singing (especially in churches), meticulously choreographed movements when watching his favorite movie musical, Annie, and his compassion and positive influence on so many people. He enjoyed hiking, swimming, kayaking, museums, flags, family vacations to historic sites and National Parks, trips to Grandma's, Challenger Sports, Cub Scouts, outings & bowling with peers at the South Norfolk County ARC, swim lessons at the Striar JCC/Old Colony Y, and horseback riding lessons at the Mass Hospital School.


Thanks to many dedicated professionals and volunteers, Nolan thrived amid medical and cognitive challenges throughout his life, with his first brain surgery at Penn State Hershey Medical Center as an infant and later care at Children's Hospital Boston. He benefited from inclusive special education at the Norwood Public Schools, where he helped pioneer inclusion in the preschool and after-school programs, plus neurorehabilitation & training at the May Centers in Randolph and Brockton before completing high school at Cardinal Cushing, Hanover, in 2010, where he enjoyed waiting tables at the Iron Kettle restaurant and working in central supply, container redemption, and the thrift shop.


He flourished at the Charles River Center's Opportunities & Visions program in Needham and Natick, where he worked small jobs and volunteered at thrift stores and Meals on Wheels. By age 31, he moved into an Amego group home in Sharon and became a cherished part of their program.


He learned about God and community as a joyful parishioner of St. Timothy's Church, at gatherings of Faith & Light and Young Life Capernaum, and communing with nature while helping Norwood Trails with cleanups and trailblazing. He will continue to help others through the donation of his brain and other tissue for scientific research.


He was the beloved son of Brian Patrick and Jean (Stevens) Palmateer of Norwood; loving brother of Brianna Palmateer of Allentown, PA; grandson of Janet Elizabeth (Henry) Palmateer of Holland, NY, and the late Sanford DD Palmateer, Richard E. Stevens, and Judith L. (Sympson) Gilvey; and godson of Martin "Jay" & Shirley Joyce of Cincinnati, OH. He is also survived by scores of uncles, aunts, and cousins.


Visiting hours were held Friday, January 20, 2023, 4-8 PM at Kraw-Kornack Funeral Home, 1248 Washington St., Norwood. Funeral services, Saturday, January 21, 2023, included 9 AM prayers at Kraw-Kornack and a 10 AM funeral mass at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 650 Nichols St., Norwood, with a private burial planned for a later date. A repast followed in the parish hall where all were invited to celebrate Nolan's life and many wonderful memories were shared. A second memorial celebration, for extended family and friends, was held at St. Joseph's Church, 46 N Main St, Holland, NY, on Saturday, May 20, 2023, with Mass at 11 AM followed by a repast in the parish hall (noon to 2:30 PM) where many came to share stories of Nolan and enjoy a movie montage celebrating his life.


In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Nolan's memory to any organization mentioned above or to ARC of Massachusetts or the American Brain Foundation. [Please disregard online ads for trees or other memorials.]