PRESQUE ISLE – Robert “Bob” Q. Palmer Sr., 89, died Feb. 14, 2009, at a local health care facility. He was born April 26, 1919, in Fort Fairfield, the son of the late George and Beatrice (Browning) Palmer. He married Alfreda Mae Giggey, in 1945, and moved to Presque Isle where he resided until his death. He was a longtime member of Bethany Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and a tireless worker. He loved to chair the special breakfasts held at the church. His pastimes included gardening, watching professional wrestling, politics, movies, playing Santa Claus, and he also loved to dance and have coffee with friends every morning around the “horseshoe” at Northeastland Hotel. He was employed by Aroostook Wholesale, A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital, was a projectionist for the State and Braden theaters, and worked for MSAD 41 for 10 years. After his retirement, he helped establish M&M Ministries Soup Kitchen in the basement of Bethany Baptist Church. His fundraising efforts were key to the purchase of the building on Parsons Street, where the charity operates today. He was recognized for outstanding achievement to his community and state with many community service awards. Among them were 1997 County All-Star of the Year, American Red Cross Real Heroes Award and Maine’s 100 Award from Gov. Angus King. He was also named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation. He is survived by a daughter, Roberta and husband, Milford Dow; a son, Robert Jr. and wife, Juliann Palmer, all of Presque Isle; his grandchildren, Joshua and wife, Karen Dow, of Cumberland, Mia Dow of Portland, Daniel and wife, Rebecca Duprey, of Presque Isle, Andrew Duprey of Presque Isle; his great-grandchildren, Allison Dow of Cumberland, Benjamin, and Alexander Duprey of Presque Isle; a very special sister, Vera Wing and husband, Harold, of East Hartford, Conn.; a sister-in-law, Catherine Palmer of Colchester, Conn.; a sister-in-law, Elouise Helstrom of Fort Fairfield; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Alfreda; a son, Thomas Hubert Palmer; four brothers, Web, Ben, Coburn and Luther; and two sisters, Adelaide and Fern. The family thanks his loving caregivers at Presque Isle Rehab & Nursing Center PEC Unit. They made all the difference in his life. A celebration of his life will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, at Bethany Baptist Church. Spring interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may donate in his memory to Bethany Baptist Church, 24 Second St., Presque Isle, ME 04769; Shriners Hospitals, care of Anah Temple Shrine, P.O. Box 735, Bangor, ME 04402; or Presque Isle Rehab & Nursing Center, PEC Unit, care of Marla Kovach, 162 Academy St., Presque Isle, ME 04769. Arrangements are in the care of Duncan-Graves Funeral Home. Condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
ROBERT Q. PALMER SR.
