Florentino Perez Palmon Jr.

Dr. Florentino Perez Palmon passed away April 2, 2015 at his home after a recent prolonged illness. He was born November 15, 1928 in Manila, Philippines to Salud and Florentino Palmon. He learned his love of cooking from his mother, who ran a restaurant above a police station, and his love of music from his father who played strings in a traveling band. He and his 3 siblings, Victoriana, Vicente, and Eduardo, were raised by his mother. Although he wanted to be an artist, his desire to start a life in the United States drove him to college and medical school, where he graduated summa cum laude from the University of the Philippines in 1954. This was no easy task as his mother would often have to sell his books to meet monthly restaurant debts. He would borrow classmates’ books literally for a period of time to memorize as much as he could prior to testing. He came to the United States in 1955 to repeat his Medicine Internship at St Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, as was mandated for foreign graduates, and then completed his Residency in Internal Medicine at Harrisburg Hospital in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in 1959. He met the love of his life, Socorro V.Abela during training, She was in his medical school class, but was not allowed to date him until she graduated and came to the United States. They married during a blizzard on December 29, 1956.

He completed a residency in Nuclear Medicine, but was inspired to specialize in Cardiology, and completed a Cardiology residency at the Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1960, working in one of the first intensive care units. He was boarded in Internal Medicine in 1962. This too was arduous as they had 3 of their children during training, and another 2 after establishing practice. There was a year struggle after completing his training when he delved into his artistic soul and created 10 paintings, awaiting his green card and fearing deportation.

Looking for a city where their Filipino culture would flourish, he brought his family to Washington, D.C., where he served as a staff cardiologist for the Department of Health for 30 years. He also ran a small private practice. He was a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He was loved by his patients. He also served as a President for the Philippine Medical Association in Washington, D.C. in 1974.

He loved opera, classical music, home renovation, travel, and was proudly an artist, enjoying painting and woodwork. He was also a chef, teaching his wife and children the art of cooking.

He is preceded in death by his siblings Victoriana Villa Del Rey and Vincente Palmon. He is survived by his brother and spouse Eduardo and Consolacion Palmon in Blacktown, Australia, his children and their spouses (Linda and Timothy Calhoun, Evelyn and Christopher Howell, Florentino/ aka Rick and Lilly Palmon, Sally Palmon and Michael Lee), his grandchildren (Stephanie and Justin O’Callaghan, Amanda Power, Philip Palmon, Sarah Palmon, Matthew Palmon, Rachel Palmon, David Calhoun, Michael Lee, and Christopher Lee), and his great grandchildren (Sacorra, Serenity, and Enya O’Callaghan).

A burial is planned for Dr Palmon at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland, on May 9th at 1pm, aside his wife, Socorro Abela Palmon, and his daughter, Norma Palmon-Dones.

The family is grateful for all the love, support, and prayers of their family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations to Doctors Without Borders is appreciated.

Arrangements under the direction of Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park, Fort Myers, Florida. For information, please call (239)334-4880.