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Deepest sympathy to Ivy Klass and family on the loss of Harry Klass who passed away on 22 May.

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From: ILSA SHARP [mailto:ilsa@iinet.net.au]
Sent: Friday, 27 November 2009 3:58 PM
To: ILSA SHARP
Subject: Vernon Palmer passes

You may want to forward this to the many who knew Vernon, especially musicians and entertainers etc,  Ilsa

STRAITS TIMES
Home > News > Home > Story

Nov 22, 2009

Broadcast veteran Palmer, 84, dies

By Shefali Rekhi

Mr Palmer, remembered as Mr Radio, was known for his sense of humour.

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Singapore lost a broadcasting personality last Friday when former radio and TV newsreader Vernon Palmer died in hospital.

Mr Palmer, who died of acute pneumonia, was 84.

He garnered a strong fan following with the shows he hosted in the 1950s and 1960s - which included game shows and talentimes - in a career that spanned more than 36 years.

‘There wasn’t a role that he hadn’t performed,’ his son Michael Palmer, 41, an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, told The Sunday Times at the wake yesterday.

‘He had done everything. He was obsessive about his work. It was a 24/7 job,’ he said of his father, who retired in 1982 as controller of the then-Singapore Broadcasting Corporation.

Mourners gathered at the wake yesterday at the family home in Bukit Timah to pay their last respects and console his 82-year-old wife, Norma.

Mr Palmer was fondly remembered as the undisputed Mr Radio, who in his later years scoffed at the music preferred by the younger generation, according to reports.

The affable presenter was also known for his sense of humour.

Former colleague Philip Tay wrote in a blog titled Memories Of Caldecott Hill this year that Mr Palmer never failed to amuse people with stories of his tenure at Caldecott Hill.

One of them was about why he was stopped from reading the TV news. The reason? A glare that bounced off his balding head and hit screens as he bent to read the news, Mr Palmer would joke.

The last few years, however, had been difficult, his son and only child Michael said.

Mr Palmer had heart and lung problems, as well as diabetes. He was largely confined to his home.

Well-known former broadcaster Larry Lai, 69, said the last time he met Mr Palmer was nearly six years ago.

‘I’m sure he will be missed. He was one of the stalwarts of the radio industry,’ he said.

Last Wednesday, Mr Palmer had had a good time, his son said. He had met his friends and enjoyed tea with them.

But last Thursday, he could not eat, and last Friday, he was hospitalised.

‘But as someone said, he had a good innings,’ Mr Michael Palmer said. ‘He had lived life to the fullest.’

The wake is being held at 74, Hua Guan Avenue. The funeral is on Wednesday.

Ilsa Sharp

Freelance writer, researcher, editor, consultant

Perth, Western Australia

Tel/Fax: (61 9458 6485

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SKYPE: ilsamariesharp

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Email: ilsa@iinet.net.au

Web: www.ilsasharp.com

on the sad loss of your brother Dr Cyril Pereira on 18th September 2009

on the sad loss of Carol’s brother Trevor Albuquerque in Singapore on 5th July 2009

 on the recent passing of his cousin Tony De Rozario

on the passing of Iris Thereza Sta Maria on 20th July 2009

on the passing of their mother Hilda Bridget Rodrigues on 14th July 2009.

on the sad loss of their mother Celine.