Rev. John Richard Warner

Rev. John Richard Warner passed away of cancer on September 19, 2024 in the comfort of his own home. He was the son and only child of the late Raymond T. Warner and Helen M. (Forslund) Warner. The three of them lovingly called themselves the Three Musketeers.
John became an ordained minister in 2004 and for the past several years performed marriages, baptisms and funeral services in MA and RI, most recently through his chartered ministry Universal Congregational Ministry of RI. He was one of the first Ministers to officiate at a same-sex marriage in MA when it became legally recognized in 2004.
He was a Hope High School graduate and all-state track athlete in the shotput and discus earning a full track scholarship to Kent State University in Kent, OH. After college at Kent State and the University of Akron, he lived and worked in Ohio for ten years and was for a time the Assistant Manager at ITT Aetna Finance in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. He later worked as a credit consultant and manager for Credit Protection, Inc. in Akron, OH.
He returned to RI in the 1970's and worked two years at the law firm of Winograd, Shine and Zacks, PC in Providence, RI before joining the law firm of Welts & White, PC, in Nashua, NH as their office administrator, where he worked and lived for 15 years. He later joined the law firm of Smith, Levenson and Smith in Boston, MA. He and two lawyers then formed a law firm in Boston, MA which was last known as Bransford & Petz, PC. He initially served as the registered agent for the firm and was their office administrator until the firm closed. He maintained a lifelong friendship with Mary Bransford, the firm's General Counsel. He lived for ten years in Boston until he retired permanently to RI several years ago.
John leaves behind his loving Aunt Connie Palmer of Cranston, RI, who provided him with a lifetime of love and support. Additionally, he leaves behind many cousins with a special endearment for his cousin David Palmer, his wife Sue, her son Jay and his wife Sara and their baby Max, and three second cousins James, Matthew and Timothy Palmer. He also leaves behind his beloved friend and confidant of more than 40 years, Robert E. Smith of Kingston, MA. John was acknowledged as a family member by Eugene and Barbara Smith of Scituate, MA, both of whom predeceased him. Barbara was proud to call him a "son by another mother." He was honored and proud to call their children Barbara, George, Sue, Sandy and Eugene his sisters and brothers. Their children proudly called him Uncle John. George's daughter Elizabeth and Eugene's wife Becky were particularly close to John and their love and kindness comforted him in his advancing years.
At John's request, visiting hours are respectfully omitted. He will be cremated and his ashes will be interred at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in Johnston, RI alongside his parents and paternal grandmother. Those wishing to celebrate and acknowledge John's life may do so by donating to the American Cancer Society, the ACLU, or any national or local SPCA.