Carl Desmond Palmer

Carl Palmer died peacefully after a stroke on Friday, December 11, 2009. Born June 3,1914 in Birmingham, England. He was predeceased by his wonderful wife, Eleanor (Bunny) on February 24, 2008 and his brother, Dennis of Calcutta in 2004. He leaves his daughter, Margaret (Mick); sister Renee(Rex) in Cornwall; niece Elaine (Dave) and nephew, Ian (Bette) in Birmingham. Having met Eleanor in a cycling club, they married in 1939. After completing a degree in Cost and Management Accounting by night school at the University of Birmingham, he worked as a cost accountant in a drop forge factory that mainly produced aircraft parts for the War. Due to colour blindness, he could not be in the Forces but instead acted in evenings for the Civil Defence A.R.P. rescue squad. In 1948, he, Eleanor and Margaret immigrated to Canada. His first job was as an accountant for Capital Iron. After 1949-54 at the B.C. Hospital Insurance Department, auditing hospitals all over B.C., he switched to a position with Revenue Canada auditing businesses, eventually moving to Ottawa to become Director of Audit Programs and finally Director of Management Controls. Despite having told his high school counsellor he wanted to be a chemist, not work in an office job, he spent his entire career doing so and said he loved every job he had. After retiring in 1978 he and Eleanor moved back to Victoria. As well as being a Chief Petty Officer with the Canadian Naval Reserve in Victoria and Ottawa, he held executive volunteer positions with the Victoria Horticultural Society, Victoria Chrysanthemum Society and the Board of Cemetery Trustees of Greater Victoria. He had many hobbies, especially golfing (being one of the original shareholders of Royal Colwood Golf Club), fishing, reading, gardening and travelling. Always interested in new gadgets, this Fall he delighted in his new touch screen computer. Carl loved telling stories (which his family and friends had to endure hearing repeatedly) … often making fun of himself. He had a terrific sense of humour. Always interested in what made people tick and what family and friends were up to, he would then question them as to why they were doing that activity – “what was the point of it?!” A lovable curmudgeon by many accounts. Many thanks to the kind staff of Glenwarren, Dr. Blair, Sharon and Jill.

A Memorial Reception will be held at the Victoria Golf Club on Beach Drive on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 1:00 pm. Donations to Pacific Housing Advisory Assn., 827 Fisgard St.,Victoria V8W 1R9 would be welcome.