"Palmer, Henry "Hank" J. Bucior, 84, died peacefully Tuesday, January 11, 2011. Born in Hartford, CT, April 27, 1926, he has lived in Palmer for 48 years. Henry was a US Veteran of WWII, serving his country in the Navy, first as a gunner in the armed guard on a merchant ship, then in submarine relief crews on a sub tender on the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. Upon returning to the USA, Hank spent 3 months in the PA Naval Hospital and while a patient was on its basketball team. He was instrumental in the training of amputees to play the game and helped form what is now known as the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. He belonged to and became a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans, and was also a member of the VFW and American Legion. After being discharged from the service, Hank became a long distance truck driver and for 41 years was a truck owner/operator servicing 26 states. He remained very active in sports; football, baseball, basketball and golf. He trained many Massachusetts people to drive tractor trailers. In his retirement, Henry was also a resident of Homosassa, Fl. Besides his parents, Henry's wife Norma (2010) and a son Thomas (2008) preceded him in death. He is survived by 3 sons, Michael "Skip", James and John Bucior along with 3 grandchildren, Andrew, Jonathan, and Jennifer. Calling hours will be Sunday, January 16 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home. He will be interred at a later date at the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery in Agawam with his wife Norma. For those wishing, donations may be made to the Palmer House Family Council, 250 Shearer St., Palmer MA 01069. "