LENOX, Mass. — Vernon B. Palen Sr., 78, of 71 King William Road passed away on Monday, November 21, 2016, at Berkshire Medical Center. 

Born on February 18, 1938, in Hudson, N.Y., he was the son of the late Vernon and Isabella McCagg Palen. He had resided in Lenox for the past 35 years and prior to that had resided in Pittsfield. He was educated in Hudson, N.Y., schools and was a 1956 graduate of Hudson High School. He attended Alfred University in Western New York and later joined the General Electric Apprenticeship Tool Making Program. 

After returning to college, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics in 1974 from the former North Adams State College, now M.C.L.A. Mr. Palen was employed for 37 years in a management position at General Electric and its successor Lockheed Martin, retiring in 1994. A longtime member of Zion Lutheran Church, he was very active with many church committees, including the redesigning of the present church building. He was also a member of the G.E. Elfun Society, and very involved with Habitat for Humanity, where he served on its Board of Directors.

Mr. Palen was also a 56-year member of the Hudson Widow Son's Masonic Lodge AFM #7. He enjoyed the challenge of repairing anything that needed fixing, doing woodworking and especially during retirement spending time with his family and extensive traveling. 

He leaves his wife, Maude Smith Palen of Lenox, whom he married on February 27, 1960; his son, Vernon B. Palen Jr. and his wife Jane of Becket; two daughters, Lynn M. Denette and her husband Matthew Sr. of Winchendon, Mass., and Kathleen A. Bonzani of South Windsor, Conn., and former son-in-law Frank P. Bonzani Jr. of South Windsor, Conn.; a sister, Jane Rauscher of Fort Pierce, Fla.; nine grandchildren, Matthew Denette Jr. and his wife Brandice, Alexander Denette and his wife Erin, Lea Dayton and her husband Michael, Daniel Denette, Kate Palen, Kyle Palen, Nicolas Bonzani, Michael Bonzani and James Bonzani; a great-grandson, Matthew Denette III; several nieces, nephews and cousins; three brothers-in-law, the honorable Judge John Connor, Harold Horner and Arthur Smith; and five sisters-in-law, Joan Connor, Nancy Battistello, Mary Ann Horner, Loraine Smith and Bette Smith. 

He was predeceased by a sister, the late Betty Jane Palen; and by his parents.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Vernon B. Palen Sr. of Lenox, who passed away on November 21, 2016, will be held Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Pittsfield conducted by the Rev. Timothy Weisman, pastor. Burial will take place at a later date in Mountain View Cemetery in Lenox. 

Calling hours will be held Monday, November 28, 2016, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Dery Funeral Home in Pittsfield. Memorial donations in memory of Mr. Palen may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church Capital Campaign in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA 01201.