Frederick Louis Palmai, Habitat for Humanity employee

Frederick Louis Palmai, 82, of Ocean View, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, surrounded by his family. Fred was born in Paszto, Hungary Aug. 26, 1935, son of Julius and Wilma Palmai, and brother of Julius Palmai and Edith Baltasi.

Fred immigrated to the United States in 1956. After becoming a U.S. citizen, he served as a military official for the U.S. Army assigned to posts in France and Vietnam. He was passionate about his country while maintaining strong ties to his Hungarian heritage.

Fred worked for the Brady Co. of Bowie, Md., Williams and Wilkins Publishing Co. of Baltimore, Md., Lowell School in Washington, D.C., before moving to Ocean View, where he worked for the Sussex County Chapter of Habitat of Humanity and was a member of Saint Ann Catholic Church in Bethany Beach.

Fred is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Carol (Burkhart) Palmai; three stepchildren, Mary Lee (Zeaser) Walls of Bowie, Md., Elizabeth (Zeaser) Nally of Ocean View, and John Zeaser of Crownsville, Md. Fred is also survived by 10 wonderful grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 19, at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson's Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 20, at Saint Ann Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach. Interment immediately following at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 32112 Vines Creek Road, Dagsboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Fred's name to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE. 19963.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.