John Dickinson PALMER

OBITUARY DR. JOHN DICKINSON PALMER Much loved husband of Diana, father of Susan, Heather, John, Diana, and Ann, and grandfather to Diana, Ian, John, Matthew, Jess, Madelaine, Katie, and Jane, died aged 89 on 17 April, 2006 after a notable career in medicine and active retirement on Salt Spring Island, including a period on the board of Greenwoods elderly care facility (where, fittingly, he passed away). John, a specialist in cancer care, was a distinguished surgeon at Montreal General Hospital from the 1950s until his retirement. He also taught at McGill University, and was at one time team physician for the Montreal Canadians. Outside medicine, he was a lifelong learner, always immersed in a new book; a surprisingly talented painter and accordion player; a keen outdoorsman; and of course a sportsman, into tennis, golf, and in his early days, hockey. John was born in Fredericton, NB, son of John Dickinson Palmer, a noted shoe manufacturer (Hart), and Florence (Bappy) Jardine, of the Jardine shipping family. After Fredericton High School, he completed an arts degree at University of New Brunswick before studying medicine at McGill University, where he also found time to play hockey for the McGill Redmen. His medical career path was interrupted by the 2nd World War, in which he served as a medical officer in the Canadian Navy before being seconded to the British Navy. It was on shore leave at Esquimault, Victoria, that he met Diana Hett, a BC ranchers daughter, and so began a romance that was to last over 60 years. John and Diana moved to Salt Spring Island permanently in 1986. Typically, in retirement John was a well known figure in the island's tennis, golf, and bridge communities. The family would like to express their heart-felt thanks to the extraordinary care and kindness of the staff at Greenwoods during John's final illness. For those who wish to remember John, donations to Greenwoods Elder Care Society, 133 Blain Road, Salt Spring Island, BC, V8K 1Z9, would be gratefully appreciated. Published in the Montreal Gazette on 4/20/2006