Egbert "Al" Alexander Palmer

Egbert Alexander "Al" Palmer born in Brooklyn, New York on October 20, 1944, died peacefully at home after an unexpected illness.  His father James Palmer, of Sumter, South Carolina, his mother, Gloria Forte of Brooklyn, New York, and his son "Little Al" of Brooklyn, New York took him to his heavenly home on October 10, 2021.

Al graduated from Pace University in Manhattan, NY with a bachelor's degree in Business.  He was a much-loved, well-respected, innovative administrator in the New York City Board of Education (BOE) for over 40 years.  He held various management positions in, at that time District 1, Central (65 Court Street, 110 Livingston Street) and finally, the Bureau of Supplies, Long Island City.   Al moved to Sun City Bluffton, South Carolina from New Jersey (Maplewood and East Orange) in 2002 after he retired from the BOE.  Having been "bit by the golf bug" he joined Sun City's Men’s Golf Association (MGA) and got to do what he enjoyed the most in later life, practicing, playing, watching, reading about golf, and playing different golf courses.  His biggest golf achievement being two holes-in-one in less than six months.

Al also loved music, especially jazz, and spent his non-golf times listening to jazz while he read a Robert Jordan or David Eddings book.  He was an avid reader since the age of 4. But above all, Al most enjoyed attending his wife’s musical public performances.

Al loved the finer things of life. His home reflected his love of African and African American culture.  He was an audiophile, horologist, and amateur photographer.  He loved taking pictures of his travels (the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, and South America) and was part of the Sun City Photography Club for a brief period.

Al leaves behind his loving "bride" Marcella of 44 years; his beloved son and daughter-in-law, Raymond and Kim, and grandchild Raiden of New Jersey; his father-in-law, Henry Morris II (Ena) of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; his sisters and brothers in-law Rose Marie (“Bernie”) Anderson of New York City; Arnold Petrus of Connecticut; Henrita Barber and Judith Donadelle of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; Henry Morris III (Janice) of Minnesota, and Celina Morris of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.  He also leaves behind beloved nieces, nephews, family members and friends.  Often described as a “gentleman” and "class-act" due to his manner and dress, Al will be missed by all.

Al was a Christian; he was kind to his fellow man, his kindness trickled down even to animals and he and his wife rescued many dogs and cats.  Al was a baptized Roman Catholic.

A memorial service to celebrate Al's life will be held on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 10:30 am at St. Gregory the Great Church in Bluffton, South Carolina.  The live-streamed service can be found on the St. Gregory the Great website => http://www.sgg.cc/mass-live-stream.html .  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA 19406.