Gary Papa, WPVI Sports Director died Friday at the University of Pennsylvania after a five-plus-year bout with prostate cancer. The 54-year-old Papa and Palmer worked together at the ABC-affiliate for more than 25 years.
According to Scott Palmer, "He was so courageous, so brave and continued to work on the air until the end," Palmer said. "In an appearance-based business, here he was working like that over the air. He had so much courage."
It can be recalled that Papa and Palmer joined WPVI within two months of each other in 1981. Palmer retired briefly in 2006 before joining the Phillies.
It was Palmer that remained very close with Papa since leaving the station. In fact, it was Palmer who pushed Papa in a wheelchair during the funeral for legendary Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas on April 18 at the ballpark.
He was diagnosed with cancer in August 2003 and his last appearance on the air was May 13.
"Right away, I knew he was a guy I could get along with and that's saying something," Palmer said. "We worked in an office that was the size of a closet. When you're in those close quarters and you can get along with people, you know it's going to be fine."
When Palmer learned the distressing news, he was clearly dazed.
"Acceptance is the hardest thing," Palmer said. "It's just so hard."
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