John W. Palmer

John W. Palmer of Mashpee, MA – a beloved husband, loving father, devoted son-in-law, loyal friend, and respected colleague, passed away at the age of 61 on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, surrounded by family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Patricia M. (Healy) Palmer with whom he shared 33 wonderful years of marriage.
John was born March 5, 1962 in Brighton, MA. Raised in Natick and Framingham, MA, he graduated from Framingham South High School in 1980, where he competed in lacrosse and soccer. He then earned a bachelor's degree from UMass Amherst before dedicating the next ten years to proudly serving our country in the US Marine Corps. Commissioned on the venerable USS Constitution in 1984, he served as a Captain in Cherry Point, North Carolina and Iwakuni, Japan. As a dedicated member of the VMAQ-2 Squadron, he forged lifelong friendships with his Marine brothers. After leaving the military, he received an MBA from Boston University and later embarked on a successful 25-year career working for EMC Corp. and Fidelity Investments. He had an insatiable drive for continuous learning and personal growth.
With quiet confidence, John spoke with intention and purpose. He was methodical, analytical, and goal oriented – attributes that guided each decision he made. He possessed the rare gift of being an exceptional listener and always provided guidance and encouragement to those around him. Educating and mentoring others were a part of his very nature and he found significant purpose in fostering the personal and professional growth of those around him. John was an inspirational leader in every aspect of his life. He took great pride in leading Marine Corps troops, mentoring business professionals, and coaching his son's basketball team, eventually winning the CYO New England Championship.
Adventurous cross country motorcycle trips, joyrides in his 1989 Jaguar, and spending quality time with his family boating on Cape Cod were a few of his most cherished moments. He was an avid reader of philosophical texts, had a passion for music, and enjoyed bird watching. Some other notable achievements include running the Boston Marathon, obtaining a black belt in Kung Fu, and most recently learning to play the guitar.
Through diligence, discipline, and dedication, John seemed to accomplish everything he set his mind to, which is part of his remarkable legacy. His unique qualities, invaluable life experiences, and strong values were all integral aspects of his favorite responsibility of all - being a loving husband and the world's best dad. He will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
John is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Palmer; his daughters Meghan Palmer, and Amanda Palmer; his son Luke Palmer; as well as several extended family members and friends whom he deeply cherished. He was predeceased by his parents, Jacqueline and Charles Murphy, as well as his brother Kyle Palmer.
A visitation will be held at Chapman Funerals and Cremations, 74 Algonquin Ave. (RTE 151), in Mashpee on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Christ the King Church, 5 Jobs Fishing Road, in Mashpee on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Burial will immediately follow at Great Neck Woods Cemetery in Mashpee.
The family extends their gratitude to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for their exceptional care and support.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in John's name to The Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation in Boston for the continued research of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer (PNET). By mail, 31 St. James Avenue, Suite 365, Boston MA 02116 or online at www.netrf.org.