David Palmer (July 14, 1939 to July 28, 2025) 86 years,
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of David (Dave) Palmer. Dave passed away with family by his side at the Matthews House Hospice, Alliston. Beloved husband and best friend of his wife Jean (nee Harris) for 66 plus years. Loving father of Dan (Cindy), Gary, and Greg (Cheryl). Forever in the hearts of his grandchildren Cory (Carrie), Danny (Melissa), Kayla, Kelsey (Cody), and Brett. Predeceased by his sister Linda Bonneville (the late Bob). He will also be fondly remembered by his many friends and extended family.
Dave was a proud and dedicated member of the Etobicoke Fire Department. He was a Firefighter/Captain for 31 years. He was able to enjoy a very fulfilling retirement with his loving wife Jean. From their many memories at their cottage to their escapes to Texas from the cold winter months in Canada. They never slowed down. Dancing, curling, gardening and many trips to the theatre. What a wonderful life together.
“Though our hair has turned to silver, our love is pure gold.”-Dave and Jean
A celebration of David’s life will be held on Saturday September 13, 2025 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at 4 Joseph street, Loretto. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers those who wish donations in David’s memory to Matthews House Hospice, Alliston would be appreciated.
Service
Celebration of Life
4 Joseph Street, Loretto, Ontario L0G1L0
Saturday September 13, 2025
1:00pm - 4:00pm
John Whitehead says
My condolences to Jean and the family.
I was very sad to hear of Dave’s passing.
I really enjoyed working with Dave when we were Captains together at Hall #10.
I learned a lot from him. Dave was an “ old school” Captain.
I also enjoyed our conversations together at the Etobicoke Retiree’s luncheons, hearing about how he spent his winters in Texas.
He will be missed.
Sincerely John Whitehead
Don, Sandy and Family says
At this difficult time, may we find comfort in our shared memories and the lasting impact Uncle Dave had on all of us. Let us come together, support one another, and keep his spirit alive through our stories, laughter, and continued acts of kindness. Our deepest condolences go out to everyone grieving this tremendous loss. May his soul rest peacefully, and may we carry his love forward in our hearts.
Diane Chusroskie says
So sorry about your loss Greg and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. The Chusroskie family.
Mike Rowland says
I’m saddened to hear of Dave’s passing. Grateful, that I had recently talked with him. He spoke affectionately of his wife, Jean (as always) and was proud to tell me of the generations of Firefighters in his family. Dave was one of my first Captains as a rookie and definitely embodied the position. I loved hearing of his retirement adventures and travels. Regretfully, I am unable to attend his Celebration of Life. Rest in Peace Captain Palmer. My condolences to the entire family.
Joan Wice says
Jean and Family, my sincere sympathy for your loss. Have many great memories of our times together with your family and ours as our husbands worked for Etobicoke Fire Dept. Remember all the great years you enjoyed.
Ian Balduckie says
I was so fortunate to have grown up living next door to Dave, Jean, Dan, Gary and Greg. They were great neighbors, and the boys and I had a ton of fun doing things together. They say you can’t choose your neighbors, but I would choose Dave and Jean as neighbors a thousand times over if I could. We moved in next door to them only a few years after we arrived in Canada from England. I was as green as they came, and I can honestly say that Dave, being one of the proudest Canadians I have ever met to this day, helped turn this Brit into a Canadian really quickly. One of my favorite memories is being taken to Grundy Lake with them all when I was nine years old, my very first time camping, canoeing and fishing – three things I greatly enjoy to this day. Like it was yesterday, I remember Dave roaring with laughter on that trip, when he discovered that I had never heard of, and obviously had never eaten, peanut butter and jam sandwiches. Jam sandwiches were a staple food in England, but peanut butter?? No way that was a thing and I was having none of it. I have so many fond memories of Dave. I cherish that he and Jean were such good, genuine friends to my parents. They all had some great gatherings with Dave and Jean’s extended families and the other neighbors. Unbeknown to him likely, he sort of kept me in check as a teenager, as his job as a firefighter meant he worked odd shifts, so I never knew when Dave might show up on the driveway, puffing on that beautiful – smelling pipe of his, with the country music he loved so much playing on the radio in his kitchen. He was truly one of the great ones and he will be missed by all of those fortunate enough to have ever been in his company.
Betty Sheppard says
Dear Jean and Family: So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing . Sending my condolences . Betty Sheppard
Maureen and Fred D'Amato says
Dear Jean and Family,
Our deepest condolences to you and the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Over the past years on Gwilliam court, we all had some wonderful times.
Our love to all.
Fred and Maureen
John Chilton says
Jean I was very sorry to here of Dave’s passing he will be missed. I will also miss the Annual Tomato Contest even though he won it most of the time, I will also miss his presence at the Cousins Luncheon. R.I.P.
Suzelle Storey says
Deepest sympathy to Jean and Family . Dave will be fondly remember by his cousin Anita Junior Suzelle Devoy and Robert Coffey
Portavogie Northern Ireland.
Wee enjoyed many lovely visits with Dave and Jean in both Northern Ireland and Canada.
Suzelle always enjoyed her chats with Dave finding out all the gossip about the family and his and jeans trips xx
Keeping you all in our thoughts and Prayers .
Ron and Joyce Forbes says
Jean we are so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. We have very fond memories of the times we spent together in Texas, dancing and at your home. May he rest in peace
Denise Balduckie says
My deepest condolences to all of you. I have many fond memories of times spent with Jean and Dave growing up in Rexdale and spending time at their cottage and house on Gwillim Court. Cherish all the great memories of your family time together.
Love Denise Balduckie
Laurie Simmons says
Greg, Cheryl and extended family. Im very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Although I didn’t know him well, I know that Bruce thought very highly of him.
Thinking of you at this difficult time…
Laurie Simmons
Lyne and John Greer says
Dear Jean, Greg, Cheryl, Kelsey, Cody, Brett and the rest of the Palmer family
We send you our deepest sympathies in the passing of Dave. Over the years we had the pleasure of being invited to many gatherings that Dave and Jean attended. He was such a happy, friendly person who greatly loved his family. I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to see Dave and Jean dance so happily and skillfully at Kelsey and Cody’s wedding last summer. They showed all of us their love for each other and how happy they were to be able to celebrate in that special day.
Sending you all our love and prayers.
Lyne, John, Sarah, Jaclyne and Blake Greer
Sharon Ososki says
Al and I will greatly miss Dave. I have such a strong mental picture of his great smile. He enjoyed and took such an interest in life. He did such a good job of overseeing the cousins annual tomato contest. Dave’s presence will be missed at the next cousins lunch. The many special memories will help with the void. Your husband, Jean, and dad Danny, Gary and Greg was a very special person.
Love, Sharon and Al
Ailene Mabee says
So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing We got to know Dave and Jean through dancing and became friends tooOur thoughts and prayers are with you and family at this sad time. God Bless.Ailene Mabee and Cyril Hamilton
Jerry Black says
I was very sad to hear of the end of Dave’s journey here on earth. However, I know he is on to other things. I very much enjoyed working with Dave on the EFD. My condolences to all whom he loved and to those who loved him.
Jerry Black
Brenda and Gerald Major says
Greg,Cheryl and Family,
Thinking of you at this sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Our condolences to you can your family.
Malvina Major says
Jean, It was such a pleasure knowing Dave. May you find solace in your many memories, my condolences to you and your family.
Much love and support,
Malvina and Family.
Scott Clements says
Greg, Gary, Dan, Jean and family,
Our thoughts are with you as remember and celebrate the life of your dad, husband and grandfather.
Renate and Scott Clements
victor Cork says
sad to see you go . i will miss you on our fishing trips my condolences to your family
Pat Taylor says
Jean and family. We would like to extend our deepest condolences. It was always a pleasure to dance in a square with you and Dave. Enjoy your wonderful memories of all the good times.
Pat and Al Taylor
garry morrison says
Sorry to hear about the passing of David, i knew him as the oldest brother of my first love, Linda, in grade 7, he was also the best friend of my oldest brother Don Morrison, they went to school together for years.
I remember him in the small house on Ryding Ave. a narrow lot but very deep with the twist family as their west side neighbour.
He always seemed to me to be a very soft spoken person, unlike his brother Bob who i knew quite well.
The world will not be the same without him.
In his time as a fireman, your family should be proud of all the lives he touched by saving someone or by saving their most valued property.
He risked his life each and every day to serve human kind, that was his true character and nature and i bet he did proudly.
and i bet he did proudly.
Ed Cromwell says
Ed was very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He said seems like he just saw him. And talked on phone . Please accept our condolences to family and friends . Ed would like to be at his celebration but it will depend on Ed’s health. Sincerely Ed Cromwell
Jim Gwilliams says
Jean, so very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. I have great memories of him on the fire department. Also the numerous fishing trips we went on after we retired were great times that I shared with Dave and the rest of the guys. Dave was great at organizing the trips. My condolences to you and your family.
Ann & Ken Daly says
Our condolences to Jean & family on Dave’s passing! He was Ken’s last and favourite captain on the EFD! A great gentleman who just said let’s do the job and we can still have fun!
Ann & Ken Daly
Sandy Vernon says
Jean and family our deepest condolence, we enjoyed dancing together and our friendship. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob and Sandy Vernon
Andy Stephenson says
I’m so sorry to hear about Dave’s passing. I worked with him over the years at Etobicoke fire and also curled with him for many years. I’m pleased that I spent some time with him just a few weeks ago. We shared some stories and had some laughs.
Sorry for your loss. He was a great firefighter, Captain to many of us and a True friend!
Joan Wice says
Jean am so sorry for your loss. Have lots of great memories of our early firefighting days in Etobicoke. Sending my condolences and sympathy at this difficult time.
Bob and Susan Latham says
To Jean and all the Palmers, we were very sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. Dave and I had fun working together at Halls 1 and 2. We have lots of memories and stories from those days.
Thinking of you.
Bob and Susan Latham,
Heather Whitman says
We are so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. We had many laughs at the cottage with the corn roast and Pie night.
Hugs to you Jean and Family.
Ken Jones says
Condolences to the Palmer family. Many memories of working with Dave on T15/R2 (EFD) during the 70’s. Dave was a wonderful person and will be truly missed.
RIP Dave
Mary Schmid says
I was 13 years old when Dave entered our families life as my sister Jeans boyfriend. I feel so privileged to have had him as my brother-in-law for all these years. He was a wonderful husband and a great father who will be sorely missed.
Carol Penn says
Jean, Sorry to hear of Dave’s passing , our thoughts are with you and the family . Carol and Harney Penn
Jim and Shirley Hanrahan says
Jean and family,
Our thoughts are with you Jean on hearing the news of Dave’s passing. He truly was a wonderful neighbour.
Jim and Shirley