Mr. Palmer Leon Wade Sr. was the second child of Carl P. and Gladys Wade. He grew up on North Shore and later Serpentine Road where he and his then eight brothers and sisters developed a close relationship. To them he was known as Leon.

His early years were spent helping his father as an altar boy at St. Monica’s Mission as well as visiting his grandfather’s farm. Palmer would fondly recall the times he spent on his grandfather’s farm helping him slaughter pigs. Palmer was known for his academic achievements even at a young age.

When he attended Ms. Millie Neverson’s school she was so impressed by his ability to speak French well that he was often chosen as the only one in the class to recite the Lord’s Prayer publicly in French. When Palmer completed high school he was offered a partial scholarship to further his education. Unfortunately, due to his family’s inability to financially support his continued education he was obliged to begin employment.

For many years he was employed at John Barritt and Sons and even later became a shipmate on the Queen of Bermuda that travelled to places such as New York. Palmer worked at the Bermuda Press with his father as a paper cutter and later the Island Press where he remained for more than 30 years.

Another area of employment for Palmer was providing security as a security guard at places like the Bank of Bermuda on Church Street. While on one of his security rounds at the Belmont Hotel, Palmer was held at gun point during an attempted robbery and true to his personality he talked his way out of danger.

On June 11, 1942, Palmer married his first wife Phyllis May nee Clarke. From this loving union Palmer Jr. was born. Tragedy hit the family on March 30, 1957 when Phyllis died suddenly. He remarried on January 7, 1960 to his help mate of 47 years Miriam nee Gibbons and from this union his three beautiful daughters were born.

Palmer was involved in youth and community activities for many decades. From the 1930s he was a Scout Master for the First Hamilton Sea Scouts along with Mr. Shirley Jackson and Rev. Vernon Byrd.

He then transferred to the St. Albans Sea Scouts as Scout Master under the direction of Pilot Robert H. Kennedy and Wilfred Robinson until the 1960s. He was later made district Scout Master for the region.

In 1937, he along with other leaders of the Bermuda Sea Scout Association accompanied the first ever representatives to The World Sea Scout Jamboree in Washington DC. His dedication for this organisation can be further gleaned by the testimonies of these boys, now successful men in the community such as Mr. Nelson Bascome, Rev. Michael Barclay, Mr. Mansfield Brock, and the Hon. Dale Butler.

In the 1930s to the 1950s Palmer was an avid sportsman, playing cricket for The Devonshire Recreation Club, Somerset and Western Stars cricket teams. In 1947 he represented Somerset in the Annual Cup Match Series. His participation during that year was highlighted with the Wade family becoming the first family ever to have brothers playing on opposing teams. At his passing he was one of the oldest surviving Cup Match Players.

In the 1930s to the 1940s, Palmer gave of his time to be secretary of the now defunct Somers Isle Cricket League, when Mr. Alma (Champ) Hunt was president. For two to three years in the 1950s, he was a referee for the Bermuda Football Association. He also played football for one of the league teams.

In 1962, Palmer was honoured by his country for bravery for saving a young man’s life from drowning while at a camping expedition with the St. Paul’s AME church young people at Ports Island.

Palmer continued his community endeavours in co-hosting with his father Carl P. Wade, in Bermuda’s longest running religious radio Broadcast, Religion Through the Years. He became its director in 1950 and only recently relinquished the post in the late 1990s to Mr. Kevin Santucci.

In addition to his multiple services in the community in direct ways, Palmer was committed to the church life. He served in various leadership roles at the St. Paul’s AME church for many years. He was one of the founding members and vice president of the Bermuda Conference of AME Lay Organisation. In other capacities he has held offices such as lay reader, youth leader, steward, exhorter, and Sunday school teacher.

Palmer was always conscious of social injustices in Bermuda and the struggle for improving conditions for blacks. He actively engaged in forums for black recognition and race equality. This especially was evident during the 1960s.

He was not timid to refer to you in conversation as a black man or a white man, if he thought it would help open up the way to a stimulating dialogue. One of his proudest moments was when Meliseanna, his granddaughter, became Head Girl of the Saltus Grammar school, a school he was forbidden to enter when he was younger due to his race.

In 1971 Palmer became a baptised member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He immediately accepted to be the director for the Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinder Club and achieved the honour of becoming a Master Guide, further enabling young people to obtain their potential through group activity such as camping.

In the later 1970s he became the first director of the newly formed Devonshire Seventh-day Adventist Blue Bird Pathfinder Club. Both of these clubs have honoured him for his time and dedicated service. Palmer’s leadership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church was also engaged through positions he held such as Elder, Deacon, Sabbath School Teacher, Religious Liberty Director and member of the Community Services Department. He was one of the first serving Elders of the Devonshire Seventh-day Adventist church.

His influence has extended to his children who also serve their community, church, and family in various ways. Palmer loved to witness to others about the love of God and many persons have found their way to Christ through his personal endeavours.

One of the many highlights of his life was the receiving of the Queen’s Certificate from His Royal Highness Prince Andrew in November 2005, in recognition of his community involvement with the youth of Bermuda.

Palmer, although short in stature, was a giant of a man and like many others of his physique was usually heard above the crowd, especially during Cup Match when he would return home hoarse. And man, could he talk! He was known by many as just Palmer even by young men who were a third of his age and he often challenged them in a strength competition.

Although he accomplished many things in his life what stands out most in people’s mind about him was his gregarious, happy personality, and his contagious smile. He was ever ready to share a joke and a good laugh. One of his favourite sayings was “plant you now, dig you later” as well as, “Palmer Wade-what’s your trade — lemonade”.

His warm personality and freedom to talk to anybody has afforded him to have friends throughout the world.

One thing not commonly known about Palmer was his inability to hold a musical note — but that did not stop him from singing. One of Palmer’s favourite pastimes was reading, especially the Bible. He was also a prolific writer. Although left handed at birth he recalls how he was forced to write right handed thus making his handwriting to many illegible!

He would not begin a meal until he had read on of his gospel gems, and books of all types were scattered over his house. A book he read more recently that made a significant impact on his life was the Prayer of Jabez. He would quote that verse of scripture every day and he re-read the entire book many times.

In his later years he would often end his sentences in conversation with the statement “Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord”.

Palmer loved his family and taught his children the importance of prayer and respect for God and His church. His son Palmer Jr. remembers their trip to the 1965 World’s Fair in New York City where he describes how the ride on the “cyclone” frightened him to death, but to his father it was an exciting moment. Katherina could always find in her father a stimulating debater on political, social and international issues.

Shawna-rika remembers her father at 81 years being the best babysitter in the world taking care of his three-week old grand-daughter, Reyna. Palmer was always present at family events such as sports days, graduations, and baby showers. Miriam describes him as the best assistant in the kitchen and for house cleaning. His grandchildren always knew that they could find in him a trusted friend and a ready playmate.

Another characteristic of Palmer was his boundless energy. He enjoyed good health throughout his nearly 90 years. During the last couple of weeks of his life, Palmer observed that he was not as strong as he had been; however, his spirits remained high.

On June 4, 2007, he was admitted to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. After two days in the hospital he passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and daughters and close family members.

Palmer will be lovingly remembered by his wife Miriam; children Jeannette, Palmer, Katherina (Sydney), Melissa-lee (Duncan), Shawna-rika (Royland) and adopted son Leonardo; sisters Joan, Phyllis, Marie, Shirley and Gloria; grandchildren Mystere, Meliseanna, Gianluca, Jordan, Reyna, Hayden, Gina and Terrence; great grandchildren; godson Norris Caines, Jr.; nieces, nephews and numerous other relatives and friends. Palmer was pre-deceased by his parents Carl P and Gladys Wade, brothers Llewellyn, Lloyd, Bernard, and Calvin.

Palmer will be a great miss in the community, however, he longed for Jesus soon return. So with family and friends we anticipate that great reunion with Palmer, who like Moses “when he died: his eye was not dimmed, nor his natural vigor abated.” (Deuteronomy. 34:7.)