1998
Julius
2015
Julius Palley
May 17, 1998 — May 17, 2015
Biography
WORCESTER – Julius Palley, 89, of Worcester, MA, business leader, Veteran Naval Commander and lifelong downtown redevelopment leader, passed away on May 17, 2015, at the UMass Memorial Healthcare Center with his family at his bedside. A son of Harry and Jennie (Tepper) Palley, he attended Worcester Public Schools, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova College in Pennsylvania, and an Advanced Mechanical Engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he continued his active support as an alumnus until his death.
His beloved wife of 68 years, Elaine (Abramoff) Palley, predeceased him on April 2, 2014; his brother, Arthur, in 2005, and a sister, Ellen Greenstein, in 1994. He leaves his daughter, Jane, wife of Bennet Weintraub, and their children, Jesse, Daniel and Rebecca, his other daughter, Candace, wife of Joseph Casey, and their children, Benjamin, and his wife Brianne and Alexander, and his son, Jonathan Palley, and his wife, Natalie, and their children, Sarah, Harry and Max, and several nieces and nephews.
If Worcesterites ever dig down to the archives of past generations, looking for inspiration and stories about mid-twentieth century America, let’s hope they find Julius Palley’s life story. It will tell them a great deal. As a member of the greatest generation, at age 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving throughout most of World War II as a commander and Chaplain. Continuing his service in the Naval Reserve after discharge, he was activated during the Korean conflict and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. His love of the sea and boats became a life-long passion.
After his wartime service, together with his brother, Arthur, he established and operated Commonwealth Office Supply, adding Deerfield Press, Inc. and Liberty Typewriter, Inc. to its holdings in the ensuing years. Julius led the urban downtown renewal of Worcester in the 1970’s. At that time, he purchased two buildings at 25-51 Union Place, near Lincoln Square, from the Henry Hanson Company which had vacated the turn of the century factory complex for a newer site. Gradually, he began the process of converting it into Worcester’s first privately financed urban renewal project, part of which became Maxwell-Silverman’s Toolhouse, a landmark Worcester restaurant and gathering place.
Later, the brothers purchased and restored the historic Washburn-Moen complex on Grove Street, which eventually housed his three businesses and many others leasing space from him at that facility over the past 30 years. Loyal to a fault to his friends and the community, he recently transferred the property to one of his longtime tenants.
He was the recipient of many civic accolades and awards for his vision in reversing the trend of demolishing older historic buildings in the downtown area and replacing them with non-descript office space or retail stores. In 1973, he was the recipient of Worcester Magazine’s Business Person of the Year Award. It was written of his accomplishments at that time that ,”if our cities are to continue to flourish and not fall back into decay, it will be because of men like Julius Palley, who have a sense of pride in their city and who seek to help others achieve what they themselves have accomplished.”
There are always some who believe only in the strength of the times that bind them, and Julius was one of them. His loyalty and allegiance to both family and friends was legendary. Aside from his business success, he listed profits in three categories: happiness, love, and companionship; personal development; and the satisfaction of taking care of all of his family members. He will not soon be forgotten.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 3:00PM ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 20TH IN BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ON JAMESBURY DRIVE, WORCESTER UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF MILES FUNERAL HOME OF HOLDEN. Burial will be in B’Nai Brith Cemetery, Worcester. Memorial Observance will be held through 7:00PM on Wednesday at the Beth Israel Synagogue. A Minyan service will be held at the Synagogue at 7:00PM on Wednesday. Memorial Observance will continue from 1:00PM to 5:00PM on Thursday, May 21st at the residence of Candace and Joseph Casey at 8 Jamesbury Drive Worcester.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Beth Israel Synagogue, Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, MA 01609 or the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609.
Funeral Service
Wednesday
May 20, 2015
,
3 p.m.
at
Beth Israel Synagogue
Click for Map and Directions
Burial to Follow
Wednesday
May 20, 2015
at
B'Nai Brith Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
WORCESTER – Julius Palley, 89, of Worcester, MA, business leader, Veteran Naval Commander and lifelong downtown redevelopment leader, passed away on May 17, 2015, at the UMass Memorial Healthcare Center with his family at his bedside. A son of Harry and Jennie (Tepper) Palley, he attended Worcester Public Schools, received a Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova College in Pennsylvania, and an Advanced Mechanical Engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he continued his active support as an alumnus until his death.
His beloved wife of 68 years, Elaine (Abramoff) Palley, predeceased him on April 2, 2014; his brother, Arthur, in 2005, and a sister, Ellen Greenstein, in 1994. He leaves his daughter, Jane, wife of Bennet Weintraub, and their children, Jesse, Daniel and Rebecca, his other daughter, Candace, wife of Joseph Casey, and their children, Benjamin, and his wife Brianne and Alexander, and his son, Jonathan Palley, and his wife, Natalie, and their children, Sarah, Harry and Max, and several nieces and nephews.
If Worcesterites ever dig down to the archives of past generations, looking for inspiration and stories about mid-twentieth century America, let’s hope they find Julius Palley’s life story. It will tell them a great deal. As a member of the greatest generation, at age 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy serving throughout most of World War II as a commander and Chaplain. Continuing his service in the Naval Reserve after discharge, he was activated during the Korean conflict and rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. His love of the sea and boats became a life-long passion.
After his wartime service, together with his brother, Arthur, he established and operated Commonwealth Office Supply, adding Deerfield Press, Inc. and Liberty Typewriter, Inc. to its holdings in the ensuing years. Julius led the urban downtown renewal of Worcester in the 1970’s. At that time, he purchased two buildings at 25-51 Union Place, near Lincoln Square, from the Henry Hanson Company which had vacated the turn of the century factory complex for a newer site. Gradually, he began the process of converting it into Worcester’s first privately financed urban renewal project, part of which became Maxwell-Silverman’s Toolhouse, a landmark Worcester restaurant and gathering place.
Later, the brothers purchased and restored the historic Washburn-Moen complex on Grove Street, which eventually housed his three businesses and many others leasing space from him at that facility over the past 30 years. Loyal to a fault to his friends and the community, he recently transferred the property to one of his longtime tenants.
He was the recipient of many civic accolades and awards for his vision in reversing the trend of demolishing older historic buildings in the downtown area and replacing them with non-descript office space or retail stores. In 1973, he was the recipient of Worcester Magazine’s Business Person of the Year Award. It was written of his accomplishments at that time that ,”if our cities are to continue to flourish and not fall back into decay, it will be because of men like Julius Palley, who have a sense of pride in their city and who seek to help others achieve what they themselves have accomplished.”
There are always some who believe only in the strength of the times that bind them, and Julius was one of them. His loyalty and allegiance to both family and friends was legendary. Aside from his business success, he listed profits in three categories: happiness, love, and companionship; personal development; and the satisfaction of taking care of all of his family members. He will not soon be forgotten.
FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD AT 3:00PM ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 20TH IN BETH ISRAEL SYNAGOGUE ON JAMESBURY DRIVE, WORCESTER UNDER THE DIRECTION OF RICHARD PERLMAN OF MILES FUNERAL HOME OF HOLDEN. Burial will be in B’Nai Brith Cemetery, Worcester. Memorial Observance will be held through 7:00PM on Wednesday at the Beth Israel Synagogue. A Minyan service will be held at the Synagogue at 7:00PM on Wednesday. Memorial Observance will continue from 1:00PM to 5:00PM on Thursday, May 21st at the residence of Candace and Joseph Casey at 8 Jamesbury Drive Worcester.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Beth Israel Synagogue, Jamesbury Drive, Worcester, MA 01609 or the Jewish Healthcare Center, 629 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609.
Funeral Service
Wednesday
May 20, 2015
,
3 p.m.
at
Beth Israel Synagogue
Click for Map and Directions
Burial to Follow
Wednesday
May 20, 2015
at
B'Nai Brith Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions
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