Obituary of George Thomas Palmer

Dr. George Thomas Palmer, D.D. (honoris causa), August 31, 1932-January 6, 2015 On January 6th, 2015, George passed away peacefully in Regina, SK, in the loving presence of family, and with the support and love of family and friends not present. Born August 31, 1932 to William Wilford and Violet May (nee Carlton) Palmer, George was the youngest of six children. When he was 13 months old he developed a polio infection, which badly damaged the nerves in the right side of his body. Violet was a strong and stubborn woman (explaining where George inherited much of his strength and stubbornness) and she did not accept that a polio diagnosis meant a life as a “cripple”, but rather looked for ways to help her youngest be as independent as possible. She did what would now be called physiotherapy at home, and coupled with living in a busy household full of children and Tip the family dog, meant that George kept active and was able to be one of the kids, treated no different than the others. George received his elementary education at Albert School, with the exception of Grade 3 when he was in Winnipeg receiving treatment at the Shrine Hospital, and high school at Scott Collegiate. During George's childhood and teen years he was lucky enough to find mentors in his family and teachers that were able to see past his physical disability and recognize that the mind underneath was not disabled but rather extremely intelligent and artistic, an uncommon attitude for the time. George was a talented artist, painting and sketching for many years. He used these skills as a make-up artist for Regina Little Theatre. He also was very musical, playing guitar with his siblings in a home orchestra for a time and as a duet with his sister Grace. George also sang for many years as a tenor in many choirs in the city from church choirs to the Philharmonic. His love of all things artistic continued though out all his life. Until his last days the strains of Bach, or a tenor singing in Italian could be heard coming from his apartment. He was not a vain man, but a dignified man who believed that one should have fine things in life; not to impress others, but for the pleasure and comfort they brought for you. George's first major purchase was a gold Omega watch in the early 1950s. It cost him 250 dollars. He loved that watch, not because it was gold, or expensive, but rather because it gave him pleasure. This watch symbolized how a man, who could have been written off, worked hard and was able to provide not only the necessities of life, but the niceties as well. That watch is still in the family, and will be for years yet. In a similar manner George wanted a car, and at the ripe old age of 21 bought a 1957 Ford Farlane convertible, white with green leather interior. It was even specially made with a left foot accelorator pedal and was one of the first automatic transmissions in Regina, as driving a manual transmission was not an option due to the nerve damage in his right leg. On further review, this one MAY have had something to do with impressing other people, especially girl people. His best friend Murray Fisher taught him to drive. At 21, with a physical disability. This is very indicative of not only George's stubborn streak when he wanted to acheive a goal, but of the friendship he and Murray had then, which continued to the day George died, and if you asked Murray he would say it continues yet. George worked in many places, his first major job was with the Department of Social Services, where he began honing his instinct for social justice. He later was seconded to the geology lab in the department of mineral resources where he met the previously mentioned Murray, as well as another close friend Doug Charret. He continued helping others here; he tells a story of helping new immigrants to Canada learn English so that they could keep their jobs. He often described this time as a gift that helped him learn to love helping others. In 1958 he began lay preaching for the United Church of Canada under Rev. Boyd Beckel. George's first posting was to a town called Silton. This proved pivotal to a number of families. In Silton George met the young, beautiful, and charming Dorothy Burrows. They quickly established that there was a chemistry between them over many afternoons swimming at Cowan's Beach, and shorty thereafter became engaged. They were married in July of 1959. George's friend Doug became enamoured with Dorothy's sister Joyce and they too were married in 1960. After the wedding George was posted around southern Saskatchewan, next to Liberty, then to Biggar and Springwater. The family was growing as Shelly was born while they lived in Liberty and Janice and Mark in Biggar. In 1966 the Palmer family moved back to Regina and George started work at the Department of Mining and Lands. Lisa, George and Dorothy's youngest (and if you ask Lisa, favorite) was born in 1967. George ended up working in various roles with the provincial government for almost 25 years. After retiring, he briefly worked independently as a consultant, then ended up returning to lay preaching at Carmichael United Church in Regina, and from there to working in the office at the church. Here he found a new calling. At Carmichael, George was instrumental in organizing with some of the church ladies a community outreach. It started with some leftover clothes that became a rudimentary clothing bank, soon becoming more formal; adding soup lunches for any needy, an emergency food supply that could be given out to folks as needed, and an agency for the Regina Food Bank. The assistance that became available through Carmichael United Church grew and grew. Unfortunately the rest of Carmichael shrank and shrank until Carmichael the church ended up closing. George and a group of like minded individuals decided that the mission they had started at the church simply could not end with the closing of the church, and they established Carmichael Outreach. For 20 years George was the Executive Director at Carmichael. The lessons he had learned about helping others were put to good use. Under his tenure Carmichael Outreach became a place where anyone in need could come and get any help that was possible. Be it food to tide someone through, getting set up at the food bank, or getting clean needles. Everyone was helped regardless of colour, creed, personal circumstance, or any other factor. This legacy of equality and service continues to this day at Carmichael Outreach. Details of this legacy can be found at www.carmichaeloutreach.org. In 2002 George was proud and honoured to receive the Queen's Golden Jubilee medal given “for having made an honourable service in military, police, prison, and emergency forces, or for outstanding achievement or public service in Canada”. In 2011 he was granted a Doctorate of Divinity (honoris causa) from St. Andrew's College in Saskatoon, SK. He was also named a Paul Harris Fellow from the Rotary Club in recognition of his efforts in the community. “The body is not the man; it is only the clothing of the man. What you call death is the laying aside of a worn-out garment, and it is no more the end of the man than it is the end of you when you remove your overcoat. Therefore you have not lost your friend; you have only lost sight of the cloak in which you were accustomed to see him. The cloak is gone, but the man who wore it is not; surely it is the man that you love and not the garment.” -CW Leadbeatter George was predeceased by his parents William Wilford Palmer and Violet Mae Palmer, and his siblings Hugh “Hughey” (Elsie) Palmer, Wilford “Wilf” (Kathrine “Kay”) Palmer, Robert “Bob” (Anne) Palmer, Clarence “Charlie” Palmer, and Grace (Walter “Wally”) Landles. George leaves behind his wife Dorothy (Burrows) Palmer, his children Shelly (Ross) McAlpine, Janice Palmer, Mark (Jerri-Lynn) Palmer, and Lisa Palmer (Sunny Saito); his grandchildren Logan (Stephanie) Bobetsis, Heather Bobetsis (Teddy Ives), Benjamin Pettigrew, Kendra Pettigrew, Dillon Pettigrew, Denise McAlpine (Michael Gettle), Jason McAlpine, Jennifer McAlpine, Kristopher Palmer, and Aimee Palmer; his great-grandchildren Avery Allard, Jaxon Bobetsis, Landen Gettle, Ethan Gettle and Kailey Gettle. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, but special mention to his niece Vi (Ed) Gustalov who lived with George when they were children. His good friends Eldon Janzen, Dr. Liz Cooper, Laurie Ulmer, Margaret Rowley, and Don and Margaret David. Special mention to Murray Fisher, George's good friend for over 60 years, who is like a second father to his children and an extra grandfather to his grandkids. We are sure we have missed people as so many people were touched by him in his life, and they are surely appreciated. We would like to thank a few people; Dr. O Schussler, his home care team (especially Gina and Rod from nursing, and Kristin Giroux) Dr. P. Duffy, Dr. H Van Rooyen, Dr. K Lyster, Dr. W Wildenboer, Dr. A Vermeulen, Dr. K Ferguson, Dr. A Kieley, the staff at RGH ER, and 3E, as well as Paqua Hospital Palliative Care and Palliative Home Care (especially Pamela, Kayla, Sharon and Marie from nursing). All of your help with George whether it was in helping his keep his independence as long as he did, to helping his last days be comfortable were greatly appreciated. More thanks go to Dan at Medichair, you went above and beyond in helping George though all the years. Dr. Bob Kitchen of Knox Metropolitan United Church, and Fr. Stephen Bill of Resurrection Parish for your visits. The staff at the Renaissance, especially Robert (RIP), Grace and Matthew, but to each and every one of you, you made George feel at home, he truly appreciated all that you did for him, and valued the services that were available, thank you for allowing us to take over the kitchen and dining rooms and all the support throughout this last two months. To Ngoc Anh restaurant, thank you for the hot and sour soup that George loved so much and for the many times we gathered there to visit over dinner. All of his friends and colleagues over the years, for all the shared laughs, and memories. George's extraordinary life deserves an extraordinary obituary. This will not be extraordinary enough. If a life well lived means you leave behind a better world than what you came into, then George certainly did that. If a good life means that when you shuffle off this mortal coil, you leave behind people who are better for having known you, then George certainly did that. If a good life means that you inspired the people around you to better themselves and others, then George did that too. Words will never be enough to capture the essence of who George is, but words and memories are what we have left. And memories cannot be captured on the page so words are all we have. Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar. -Alfred Lord Tennyson Wheelchair Grandpa went to Heaven -Jaxon Bobetsis We love you Dad We love you Grandpa Until we meet again. In honour of George's legacy of giving to others, his family would ask that rather than flowers or other gifts, a donation be made in his honour to Carmichael Outreach Inc. 1925 Osler St. Regina, SK S4P 1W3 306 757 2235, or a charity of your choice.