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Philip Palmer Obituary
He was born on Sept. 5, 1928, in Augusta, the son of George Edward and Josie (Gray) Palmer.
Phil received his high school diploma from Stony Brook School in Long Island, N.Y. He received undergraduate degrees from Gordon College in Boston, and Bowdoin College in Brunswick. He later received his seminary degree from Drew University School of Theology in Madison, N.J.
Phil was an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and pastored churches throughout Maine for more than 45 years. He served churches in Waldoboro, Randolph, First Church in Bangor, Houlton, Brunswick, Fairfield, Fairfield Center and Monmouth. He also served as Executive Secretary of the Maine Council of Churches from 1967 till 1969. He served as the Conference Council Director of the Maine Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church from 1981 till 1985. After his retirement in 1994, Phil actively participated in the ministry of the Cox Memorial United Methodist Church in Hallowell.
Phil married Sylvia (Eastman) in 1950. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May 2010.
Phil enjoyed listening to shortwave radio. He loved connecting with old and new friends via e-mail and phone and wonderful lunches out. He enjoyed camping with the family and taking long walks.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Palmer of Hallowell; his sister, Shirley Petherbridge, and her husband, David of Webster, of N.Y,; his daughter, Karen Palmer, and her husband, Phil Twomey, of Arlington, Va.; his sons, Wesley Palmer and his wife, Lucy of Londonderry, N.H., and John Palmer of Standish; four grandchildren, Adam and Tim Palmer and Josie and Tom Twomey; and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, 1 Church St., Augusta. A celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Cox Memorial United Methodist Church in Hallowell.
In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts may be made to Cox Memorial United Methodist Church, 33 Central Street, Hallowell, ME 04347.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Philip Palmer
Ellie Adams
February 12, 2011
Sylvia, I am so sorry to learn of your loss! Phil was a fighter and you were the best wife/caretaker ever! I'm glad that I shared the senior college class with you and Phil last fall! Fondly, Ellie
Roberta White
February 9, 2011
Pastor Wes-- You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Our visit with Phil and Sylvia
Abby Buccelli
February 8, 2011
Sylvia and family, I am deeply sorry for your loss but as we know this is not good bye its I'll see you again one day.
February 8, 2011
to Phil's family,
Joan and I wish to offer our condolences on Phil's passing. Its our memory that he was Conference Director and living at Mechuwana when we first met.
Truly a long, productive life, in the Lord's service. A rare individual who will be missed and remembered by the many people who's lives he touched.
julio & joan de sanctis,old town
February 7, 2011
Wes, Karen, and family - so sorry to hear of this. May God sustain you in your grief, and and be with you in your journey. Grace and Peace,
Rev. Deborah Gildart-Hanks
Downington, PA
Nina Osier
February 7, 2011
Sylvia and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Phil was an extraordinary person. Please know that you are in my prayers.
February 7, 2011
I am very sorry to hear of your family's loss. Phil was a gentle, dedicated, and inspirational individual. I have many wonderful memories of him. To Sylvia, Karen, Wes, and John my deepest condolences to you all. Steve Bost
February 7, 2011
Sylvia, Wes, Karen and John
Phil was an important part of my coming to understand what the church and life was about. I enjoyed traveling to UM Mens meetings with him. He helped me through a difficult time in my life for which I will be forever grateful. SOrry we will be unable to attend the services as we are out of state. Jackie and I send our condolences and you are in my prayers. Doug Dimond
Stanley Painter
February 7, 2011
Fr. Palmer, long will I recalls your pastorate in Monmouth. It was not often I could hear your sermons due to the many journies I pursued in my b usy life, and I found much when I could pause for an hour to listen, and occasionally preside at the organ.But my fondest memory is the Sunday morning I arrived at the door of the parsonage in Monmouth, and most thoroughly interrupted your morning preparations for sermon work, with the news that a small visitor wearing a most unique perfume was in the building, from where no one could guess. Just imagine the results if thhe organ's windsswitch had been activated at that moment! Phbil, thanks for your long service to the Church. Rest well. Stanley Painter D.O.
February 7, 2011
Dear Sylvia, So sorry to hear of Phils passing. I will miss his calls and getting together with you both. Sorry I will be unable to attend the funeral as we are out of town for the week. I will get in touch with you when I return home. I will be thinking of him and you. Condolences to you and your family. Jan Glidden
Linda (Daggett) Richardson
February 7, 2011
I have such sweet fond memories from my teenage years at Randolph Methodist Church with "PP" (Pastor Palmer) as we called him. He was a true inspiration for us all. I can still see him in the middle of the hay wagon on our hayrides. Much love to his family.
Pamela Hodsdon
February 7, 2011
To the Palmer family,
You probably don't remember me. However, I remember Rev. Palmer coming to my father (James A. Waltz's) funeral home in Waldoboro to conduct funerals during your tenure at the Waldoboro United Methodist church.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time and the days ahead. May God richly bless you. He was a great man of God.
Pamela (Waltz) Hodsdon
Sheila Pierce
February 7, 2011
I first met Phil about 15 years ago when my Mom was first diagnosed with cancer. When I think of him, two words come to mind "quiet wisdom". He never wasted alot of words, I remember when he spoke, it got to the heart of the matter and really made a difference. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Sheila Pierce
Beth Dimond
February 7, 2011
Sylvia, You and Phil are such a positive and happy memory of my childhood, and I am so thankful that I had a chance to see you and Phil so often over the years at Mechuwana. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Wes, Karen, and John.
February 7, 2011
Sylvia (and family) - so sorry to hear of your loss. My sister Lela had been an attendant at your wedding to Phil and am thankful that you spent so many years together. I have such wonderful memories of your parents and often tell my daughter and granddaughter of the activities that they generated while I was growing up on Harding Street. I pray God's blessing on you and your family in the days ahead.
Beverly Dickinson Long
Cheryl/Ed Shepherd
February 7, 2011
Syliva, We are so sorry to hear of Phil passing. We have fond memories of both of you as you are one of the first people we met when we moved to Maine! May you feel peace and comfort. Love Cheryl and Ed Shepherd
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