Drew Haigh Palmer

Drew Haigh Palmer (88) of St. Johns, Florida, passed away January 9, 2025. He was the son of the late Andrew Potter Palmer and Anna Milicent (Shull) Palmer. Mr. Palmer was the brother of Shulla Sannella and the late Merrett Palmer and the brother-in-law to Lorraine Palmer and Marilyn Short.

Mr. Palmer was a 1953 graduate of Bellingham High School. "Butch" as he was known, was one of five co-captains of the state champion basketball team. Coach Frank Flynn and his teammates were a second family to Butch, and sadly, he was the last surviving co-captain. As a senior he was named "All State" player of the year.

Mr. Palmer received his associate degree in business from Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts. In the early 1970s Mr. Palmer attended Columbia University.

While in tenth grade Butch met the love of his life, Margaret Janet Short, and married her in 1958. Only death could separate them, which happened to "Peg" April 18, 2019. Together they had three sons, John who predeceased him, Andrew, who lives with his wife Joan, in St. Johns, Florida, and Scott, who lives with his wife Lori, in Grafton, Massachusetts. Scott and Lori provided loving care to him in the final months of his life.

Mr. Palmer was known as "Papa" by his four grandchildren, Alycen, Drew, Alicia and Bradley and by one great grandchild, Leah. "Uncle Drew" had many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Palmer proudly served in the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1954 retiring from the Navy shortly after photographing the cargo in Russian ships for Naval Intelligence during the so-called Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

After working for thirty years for the family business, Mr. Palmer retired in 1985 as publisher of The Woonsocket Call and owner of radio stations WWON AM and FM. Mr. Palmer's career included serving as a director for many other companies. In 1978, Mr. Palmer was named "Boss of the Year" by the Woonsocket Jaycees. He was a life member of Union St. Jean Baptiste and President of the Woonsocket Rotary Club from 1974 to 1975.

When living in greater Woonsocket, Mr. Palmer was a vestryman at St. James Episcopal Church.

Mr. Palmer and his wife were avid golfers and longtime residents of Vero Beach, Florida.

Private funeral arrangements are through Holt Funeral Home, South Main Street, Woonsocket. Mr. Palmer's earthly remains will be laid to rest in the family plot in Union Cemetery, North Smithfield.

Donations in Mr. Palmer's memory may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Mr. Palmer's Life in Pictures can be found at https://drewhpalmer.com

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