February 05, 2011

Rev. Philip Gray Palmer HALLOWELL -- The Rev. Philip Gray Palmer, 82, of Hallowell, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at MaineGeneral Medical Center in Augusta after a more than 16-year journey with Parkinson's disease that ended with a brief illness. 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. Published in Kennebec Journal on February 7, 2011