Groton - The consolidated probate court system, which recently reduced the number of its judges in southeastern Connecticut from 14 to four, lost one of its highly respected members last week with the death of Fred W. Palm Jr.

Palm, 63, served as Groton's judge of probate for more than 26 years before he was elected in November to become the judge of a new regional court that comprises the towns of Groton, Stonington, North Stonington and Ledyard. He died last Wednesday.

Two judges to fill in

"He worked on and off in January," said Probate Judge Mathew Greene, who along with Judge Jeffrey McNamara of Niantic shared Palm's duties during his illness. "We'll stay on as long as we're needed. Jeff is there (in Groton) a couple days each week. I'm there one day."

Greene, who represents New London and Waterford, said Palm's seat will be filled through a special election, which can't happen until at least August, or 150 days after Palm's last day of service. The cost of a special election might compel the state to wait until the November municipal elections, Greene said.

"The state asked us if we could handle it until November if it came to that. I'll do it as long as I have to," Greene said. "He was my mentor. He taught me how to work with people. We had many long conversations. As much as he was judge, he was a very compassionate guy. He really wanted to help people. He'll be sadly missed."

Greene and McNamara, who covers East Lyme, Old Lyme, Montville and Salem, also manage the New London Regional Children's Probate Court. They said Palm had planned to, once elected, transfer his child probate cases to their court.

"That was probably a tough decision for him," said McNamara, son of East Lyme's late probate judge, Leo McNamara, a friend of Palm's. "He really cared about the children he served. He was compassionate and pragmatic. I think he was somewhat protective of them, wanted to be sure they would continue to get the same care. I think they do. I like to believe I run my court with the same kind of care that Fred ran his."

The addition of Palm's four towns brings the number of children's courts in Greene's and McNamara's purview to 10. The two judges also take turns filling Palm's old office in Groton - Greene works there one day a week while McNamara works two - to handle adult probate matters in that court.

c.potter@theday.com