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Newly-wed Tony loses fight for life

Stephen Foster
22/12/2004

A MILNROW father who collapsed on holiday and underwent three major operations in a month has died.

Tony Palmer passed away in Fairfield General Hospital on the day of his 35th birthday.

But now his wife of six months and other members of his family, although devastated by the passing, want his funeral not to be a day of mourning, but a celebration of his life.

His wife Nina, whom he married in May, said: "The wedding was like a huge party with hundreds of guests turning up and I am sure his funeral will be like a big party in celebration of his life.

"Our house was always an open house with people dropping in all the time. Tony worked really hard and partied really hard.

"He always put people before himself and would drop everything to help people. He had a wide circle of close friends and was so well liked."

His brother Gerrard, aged 33, said: "We are trying to be positive and thankful for his 35 years. A lot of people don't get that much.

"I feel really privileged and honoured to be his brother."

Mr Palmer became ill four weeks ago when he went to Newquay, Cornwall, with Nina and three-year-old daughter Kelly.

He collapsed and was taken to hospital in Truro, where he was operated on and his spleen removed. After a period in intensive care and on a ward he was released.

But, on their way home, he collapsed again and was rushed to hospital in Gloucester. He was released, but became ill once again when they had returned to Milnrow and underwent a second operation in Rochdale Infirmary.

He was then transferred to Fairfield Hospital where it was decided to carry out surgery for the third time.

Mr Palmer, of Cornfield Street, lived all his life in Milnrow. He went to St James's Primary School and Roch Valley High School and had been a venture scout.

His parents, Stanley and Edna, formerly of Balmoral Close, now live in Shaw. They have another son, Howard, aged 31.

Tony worked for Loadwise International Ltd, of Buckley Road, Rochdale and managing director Graham Briscoe said: "Tony to me was more than an employee, he was a friend.

"He would do anything for me and I would do anything for him."

The funeral will be held at St James's Parish Church, but at the time of going to press a date had not been fixed.