Benedict J Palanza

Scarborough - Benedict J. (Jack) Palanza, 93 of Clay Pits Road, died peacefully on Friday, May 25, 2018 at the Freeport Nursing Center following a long and productive life, his loving family was by his side. Jack was born in Portland, Maine on September 28, 1924 the son of the late Camillo and Flavia DiDonato Palanza. He attended local schools and graduated from Portland High School in the class of 1942. He served in the United States Army during WW II in G2 Intelligence. After military service he attended Northeastern College, and majored in accounting as an honor student. In 1973 he received an Honorary Doctorate from Hamilton University in Tucson, Arizona. Jack had a long and successful business career in wholesale - sales, marketing, and management of home entertainment electronics and major appliances. He began his career as a door-to-door salesman selling refrigerators, radios, and vacuum cleaners. In 1964, he founded and operated Treasure House Distributing Company, which ran for six years before selling to accept a position with the Magnavox Corporation as regional sales manager. While with Magnavox, Jack received several awards for being the top salesman in New England. He later founded Financial Enterprises - consulting and general management assistance for small businesses, manufacturers, distributors, inventors, and new enterprises, with offices in Scarborough and Honolulu, Hawaii. Jack also worked for the Computer Center and Northern Data Systems, both in Falmouth, and was founder and owner of the Bakery & Party Supply Company in South Portland and finally ended his working career with Alario & Associates, Inc., a real estate firm in Sarasota, Florida that specialized in business brokerage, as a Business Broker Specialist. In his spare time, Jack enjoyed hiking and was a long-time member of the Appalachian Mountain Club, hiking the mountains of Maine and New Hampshire. He loved to dance and taught Polka dance lessons. He enjoyed spending winters in Honolulu, Hawaii for more than 30 years. His greatest love was the time he spent surrounded by his family, who he cherished. While in Hawaii, he served as Eucharistic Minister, he was a member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Scarborough where he was active in church activities which continued to nurture his strong faith. Jack was predeceased by two sisters, Sunny Palanza and Mary Houston; three brothers, Antonio, Sam, and John Palanza. He is survived by two daughters, Linda and her husband Paul Trueworthy of Brunswick, and Christine Flynn of NC; a son, Steven and his wife Jamie Palanza of North Yarmouth; five grandchildren, Sarah and her husband Michael Doten, Jr. of Freeport, Andrew and his wife Leigh Trueworthy of Lisbon Falls, Carrie Flynn of NC, Ella and Owen Palanza of North Yarmouth; one great granddaughter, Lillian Doten of Freeport; a special friend and longtime companion of 30 years, Joan Bennett of Honolulu, HI; several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours celebrating Jack's life will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2018 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the chapel at 10:15am on Friday, June 1st followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, Black Point Road, Scarborough. Burial will follow, with military honors at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Jack's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com