Kaelan, with his sister, Shannon. This photograph
was taken at the Paton Family Reunion just a few
days before he was lost.



KAELAN ALEXANDER PALMER PATON

The Paton and Palmer families mourn the loss of their beloved Kaelan, who drowned on June 16, 2009. We take comfort in the fact that two boys are alive and well who might not be, had it not been for Kaelan’s efforts. He gave a hand up to the first, and went into a raging river in an attempt to help the second. The rescues were successful, but the rescuer was lost.

There will be a Memorial Service and a celebration of Kaelan’s life on Sunday afternoon, July 12th, at the Sharon Center School, Hilltop Road, Sharon CT, starting at 1.p.m. The gathering will begin with the Memorial, followed by a Song Circle, then a pot-luck vegetarian meal in his honor. The celebration will close with a New England contra dance (which he loved), followed by more contemporary dancing. Cool and casual clothing is recommended; rainbow colors are welcome.

A Kaelan Paton Memorial Fund has been established at Salisbury Bank and Trust, Box 7, Sharon, Connecticut 06069. Kaelan’s father, David, and his sister, Linnea, hope to use the fund to further artistic and educational endeavors in the area, including, possibly, an annual folk music and dance festival in his honor.Tax-deductible contributions may be made to “Kaelan Paton Memorial Fund” and sent directly to the bank, or to his father, David, and Kaelan’s grandparents, Sandy and Caroline Paton, at Box 1148, Sharon CT 06069.