HALLOWELL – The Rev. Philip Gray Palmer, 82, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at MaineGeneral Medical Center, Augusta, after a journey of more than 16 years with Parkinson’s disease that ended with a brief illness. He was born Sept. 5, 1928, in Augusta, son of George Edward and Josie (Gray) Palmer.
Phil received his high school diploma from Stony Brook School, Long Island, N.Y. He received undergraduate degrees from Gordon College, Boston; and Bowdoin College, Brunswick, and later received his seminary degree from Drew University School of Theology, 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, Bangor; Houlton, Brunswick, Fairfield, Fairfield Center and Monmouth. He also served as executive secretary of Maine Council of Churches from 1967 to 1969. He served as conference council director of the Maine Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church from 1981 to 1985. After his retirement in 1994 Phil actively participated in the ministry of Cox Memorial United Methodist Church, Hallowell. Phil married Sylvia (Eastman) in 1950. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in May 2010. Phil enjoyed listening to short-wave 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; sister, Shirley Petherbridge and her husband, David, of Webster, N.Y.; daughter, Karen Palmer and her husband, Phil Twomey, of Arlington, Va.; sons, Wesley Palmer and his wife, Lucy, of Londonderry, N.H., and John Palmer of Standish; four grandchildren, Adam and Tim Palmer, Josie and Tom Twomey; several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home, One Church St., Augusta. A celebration of life will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at Cox Memorial United Methodist Church, Hallowell. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Cox Memorial United Methodist Church, 33 Central St., Hallowell, ME 04347. Condolences to the family may be sent to
www.khrfuneralhomes.com.