Nicholas “Nick” DePalma, 72, husband of Barbara Jean DePalma of Norwalk, passed away Monday, December 4th. Born November 2, 1945, in Norwalk, he was the son of Nicholas DePalma Sr. and Katherine LaPak.
In addition to his wife, “BJ” DePalma, he is survived by his sons Jason and Michael (and Erica) DePalma of Norwalk, grandson Chase DePalma, and granddaughters Brooklyn and Jameson DePalma. He was predeceased by his brother Joseph DePalma and sister Josephine DePalma.
Nick graduated Brien McMahon High School in 1963 and afterward earned a business administration degree from Norwalk Community College. He joined the Navy in 1965 and was honorably discharged in 1968. Nick was co-owner and founder of Eastern Graphics & Design, Inc., which opened in South Norwalk in 1969.
In 2004, DePalma and his wife moved to Palm Coast, Fla., where they ran a small carpentry business. The couple returned to Norwalk in May to be near their children and grandchildren.
Nick loved the Mets and the Long Island Sound. He was an instructor for the Norwalk Power Squadron and held a USCG Captain’s license. Prior to moving to Florida, he was a former member and Vice Commodore of the South Norwalk Boat Club. He also loved the City of Norwalk.
Nick chaired the Norwalk Fair Rent Commission from 1976 to 1979 and sat on the Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now board of directors from 1979 to 1981. From 1979 to 1981, Nick served on the Common Council as a member of the Norwalk Independent Party. He sat on the council’s Finance Committee and chaired its Planning and Personnel committees. He chaired the City Hall Building Committee in the late 1980s when City Hall moved from North Main Street in SoNo to the former Norwalk High School on East Avenue. In 1983, Nick ran for mayor and left an impression on fellow Independents and others. From 1985 to 1988, Nick sat on the Elderhouse board of directors and served as its president. He also sat on the board of VITAM in Norwalk. In 1999, Nick was inducted into the Brien McMahon High School Hall of Fame.
Friends may visit at Collins Funeral Home, 92 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT on Saturday, December 9th from 3-6pm. Nick was an avid supporter of CREC Soundbridge, a regional program for children with hearing loss who are using spoken language to communicate and to learn. Donations in his memory may be made to: CREC Soundbridge, 123 Progress Drive, Wethersfield, CT 06109.