Stephen Palmer

Stephen Palmer : 04.08.1964 – 21.04.2017

A Eulogy from his friend Albie.

Stephen Palmer 04.08.1964 – 21.04.2017

Stephen was born 4th August 1964 in Cricklewood. The only child of Sid & Lilly, although he had an extended family of 7 half-brothers & sisters in his parents’ home town of Newcastle.

A bright and popular boy, he went to Childs Hill infant and junior school. At this time he loved nothing more than spending his weekends in the local working man’s club. Walking with his dad Sid & mum Lilly, hair brylcreamed, shirt and trousers neatly pressed and shoes highly polished, a mini version of his father. A likable young lad, very kind and generous who had a liking for telling the most corniest of jokes. With his deep voice and often smoking a cigarette, he wasn’t like your average eight year old boy! It was how he was given the nickname “Smokey Joe”. He learned to play snooker, billiards, right through to shove Ha’ penny. He became very proficient in all these games and represented the Trades Hall on numerous occasions even winning a few trophies.

At eleven Stephen went to Whitefield comprehensive school, he was a good scholar but would rather mess around and was a regular visitor to the year head’s or headmasters office, often receiving the cane or “Percy Slipper” for some misdemeanour or another. Despite this he passed all CSE’s and in metalwork he excelled. Still to date he is the only pupil to make a working steam engine. It took pride and place in Mr Ransom’s metalwork classroom, who used it as a model for all successive students to aspire to.

With this talent Stephen left school and started an apprenticeship at Contactum as a sheet metal worker and welder. He passed is apprenticeship there and moved to another local company De Souza. At this time he met Alison, a local girl, they soon got married and had a daughter Joanne. They bought a house and moved to Luton, where they spent a few happy years as a family until the recession hit and like so many other couples at the time it hit them hard.

They moved back to Cricklewood and Stephen got work as an undertaker at J Noades & Son and also had accommodation there. Unfortunately the marriage failed and Alison took Joanna to live with her mother in Wales.

Stephen lost his job and moved back in with his parents. This wasn’t to last as both Sid and Lilly sadly passed away in quick succession. Stephen had to leave the family home and rented a room in West Hendon. Here he had a succession of work on building sites and with a local removal firm. It was at this address he got his popular nickname “Kipper”. After having a few to many beers he went home, fell asleep whist cooking and nearly burnt he house down.

Two years ago whilst brushing his teeth one morning, Stephen discovered a lump in the lower part of his mouth. Thinking it was an abscess he went to the dentist only to be told to go immediately to the hospital. It was actually a cancerous growth, which after many months in Guy’s hospital they eventually removed the growth during a fourteen hour operation. Many months later after a combination of radio and chemotherapy treatment and with much relief Stephen was given the all clear.

Sadly this good news wasn’t to last and after losing weight and generally feeling unwell Stephen was told the news he feared most. The cancer had returned and was inoperable. He spent his last few months in and out of hospital but always with a smile on his face and he never let his illness dampen his spirits. He remained up beat and dignified still going to bingo on a Saturday night and even going out for the day to watch Cheltenham gold cup.

How we would all love to hear one of his corny jokes.

Stephen Palmer. Best friend.