Palmer, Antone, 78, Presque Isle, in Bangor, February 12, 2009. Memorial services will be held at St. Annes Episcopal Mission in Mars Hill, February 21 at 11 a.m.
Presque Isle – Antone Palmer, 78 passed away Feb. 12, 2009, at the Maine Veterans Home in Bangor, following a long illness, with his family by his side. Tony was born April 26, 1930, in Presque Isle, the son of Kathryn (Peluso) and Harry Palmer.
He graduated from Bath, N.B. High School class of 1948, where he was a member of the schools hockey and softball teams, and a member of the Army Cadet Corp. He later graduated from the Ohio School of Trades in Columbus where he became a fire truck maintenance specialist.
Tony enlisted in the U. S. Air Force serving from 1950-1954 earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. Returning from overseas duty, he was stationed in Florida where he worked on stock cars in his off duty time.
His work history included State of Maine Dept. of Highways operating room orderly, (PEI hospital), trainer and driver of harness horses, which raced at Charlottetown and Summerside, PEI, Northern Maine Fair, Aroostook County Raceways, Springfield, Machias as well as Woodstock, N.B. tracks. He became a licensed racing official at Charlottetown & Summerride, Prince Edward Island, Northern Maine Fair, Aroostook & County Raceways. He later became security at NMCC.
Tony and wife Helen attended two Governors Inaugural Balls in Augusta as “special” guests of Gov. John Reed.
In 1973 he rode “Skipper” in the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival Parade representing Prince Edward Island as a ‘Father of Conferation’. 1975-76 he rode in the Bicentennial Parade in Boston on Patriots Day at the invitation of the Common-wealth of Mass. In 1976 he rode his horse “Dusty” in the Maine Train, the Bicentennial Wagon Train to Valley Forge. In 1997 Tony received a plaque of appreciation from the Operation Lift-off of Maine for his service to terminally ill children.
For 15 years he was “Santa Paws” at the Central Aroostook Animal Shelter. He was a proud member of Ray Goding Post 88, American Legion, a member of the Anglican Parish of Andover and the Aroostook Episcopal Cluster.
Tony is survived by his wife of 46 years, Helen (Brooks) Palmer; a step daughter, Connie Donnelly; grandsons, Nathan and Nolan Donnelly; great-granddaughter, Payton Donnelly all of Presque Isle; a sister-in-law, Sarah Brooks, Portage Lake; a “very special daughter,” Virginia Cook of Swift Current, Susk; two aunts, Elaine Harper, P.I. and Jean Lesta, Boston; numerous cousins and beloved sheltie “Charlie”.
Tony will always be remembered by those who knew him for his unselfishness, kindness, compassion, generosity, faith and love of children and animals. “We need more like him.”
Memorial services will be held at St. Annes Episcopal Mission in Mars Hill, Sat., Feb. 21 at 11 a.m. Services at Trinity Anglican in Andover will be announced in the near future. A military service of interment will be held in the spring at Glenwood Park Cemetery, Easton Road, Presque Isle. In lieu of flowers, friends may donate to the Central Aroostook Animal Shelter in Presque Isle. Condolences may be sent to the family at PO Box 153, Easton, ME 04740.
