PALMER, MARVEN FRASER, BA, MD, CM, FACS, FRCS
The death of Marven Palmer of Fredericton, NB, occurred on Thursday, July9, 2015 at the age of 86.
He was born at the old family homestead in Douglas Harbour, NB where his father had been born. His parents, Robert and Pearl (MacFarlane) Palmer operated Palmer Brothers General Merchants at Douglas Harbour on Grand Lake. Marven loved living above the store where there was constant activity from morning to night – it was the centre of the community – and spending his free time canoeing, hunting, trapping and fishing with his companion, Tippie.
After starting his academic life at the local one-room schoolhouse, Marven passed the necessary exams to be admitted to Fredericton High School. At the age of 14, he boarded in Fredericton with older returning war vets and gradually made the transition from country life to city life. Graduating from FHS as Class President, he earned a Beaverbrook Scholarship to UNB and was then accepted to McGill Medical School where he graduated as President of the Nu Sigma Nu Medical Fraternity. It was during his subsequent internship at Hamilton General Hospital that he became smitten with Diana Wakeford and they were married within the year in her hometown of Havana, Cuba. Returning to Canada, Marven completed his surgical residency at the Royal Victoria Hospital and began his surgical practice in Fredericton in 1960.
Throughout his 35 year career as a General Surgeon, his genuine interest in people and his fine surgical skills had a positive impact on many families. He served his profession through involvement and leadership in the New Brunswick and the Canadian Medical Societies, Canadian Medical Association, College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick, American College of Surgeons, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Canadian Association of General Surgeons, New Brunswick Surgical Society, York-Sunbury-Queens Medical Society, Fredericton Medical Clinic, Medical Advisory Committee of the United Ostomy Association, Canadian Medical Protective Association, Medical Advisory Committee of the Province of New Brunswick Minister of Transportation, Fitness to Practice Committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New Brunswick, New Brunswick Medical Council, and as Chief of Surgery at Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital and Clinical instructor at Dalhousie University Medical School.
Marven’s life beyond work included memberships and activities with the Fredericton Garrison Club, Kenmore Salmon Fishing Club, Miramichi Salmon Association, Fredericton Golf and Curling Club, St. Paul’s United Church, Coy Gut Gun Club, Scotia Springer Club, Fredericton Pony Club, Kingswood Park, and the New Brunswick Naturalist Club and annual bird count. His children have benefitted from his dedication to, and involvement in, their passions. He enjoyed Open Jumper and Hunter classes across the Maritimes, Opening Day of duck season at Charlie’s camp, and Opening Nights in theatres small and large. Satin, Fiddle, Raider, and Rip were all beloved family members.
Marven was predeceased by his parents, his sister Roberta Gaddess, and his beloved wife Di after more than fifty years together.
He is survived by his daughter Alanna, her sons Phillip Deap (Niki Plante) and David Deap (Dineke Stanley) and their father Dan Deap; by his son Robert, his children Jacob Palmer and Danielle Palmer, their mother Willi Broeren, and her children Alexander Gardner (Jo Chou) and Marieke Gardner (David Bounic) and their daughter Ella; by his daughter Alisa, daughter-in-law Ann-Marie MacDonald and their daughters Isabel MacDonald Palmer and Lora MacDonald Palmer; by his niece Eloise Rowan (Fred); by his nephew Dwight Gaddess (Heather); and by his cousin Carl MacFarlane.
Visitation will be held at McAdam's Funeral Home on Monday, July 13 2015 at 2 to 4 pm and at 7 to 9 pm. The funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s United Church on Tuesday, July 14 at 2:00 pm. Reverend Richard Bowley will officiate with The Right Reverend William Hockin.
For those who wish, memorial tributes may be made to the St. Paul's United Church Foundation or to a charity of the donor's choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.mcadamsfh.com