Drew Haigh Palmer

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Bellingham High School Columbia University

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Woonsocket, Rhode Island

Drew Palmer Obituary

Drew Haigh Palmer

ST. JOHNS, FL - 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, 510 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, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306, Staten Island NY 10306.

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

www.holtfuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Woonsocket Call on Jan. 15, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Drew Palmer

Sponsored by Holt Funeral Home Curtis J. Holt's Sons Funeral Directors.

10 Entries

Tim Manigan

January 18, 2025

I was fortunate enough to have been a reporter and editor at The Call at a wonderful time for newspapers. Drew and I and his dad Andrew attended great events when the newspaper won top awards around New England. They supported me in all the times I wrote stories that took guts and determination. We always did what was right.

Dom Burns

January 16, 2025

Andrew and Scott- My deepest sympathies on the loss of your dad- he and your mom were great people.

January 15, 2025

Andrew, Scott and extended family. My sincere sympathy to you all. His friendship to my dad and the stories I heard growing up will always provide a smile for my face. You had two great parents. My earliest memory of your mom was she was our cub scout den mother at Holy family. What a beautiful lady. God Bless you all. Ron Renaud

Claire Trottier-Martin

January 15, 2025

Have known Drew since First Grade at South School in So Bellingham
Saw him last at our 50th class reunion. RIP Drew.

KAREN m conley-Orlando

January 15, 2025

I'm so sorry for your loss! He was a good man and father. Your parents made such a beautiful couple. I have so many great memories of your family at the lake. Just recently losing my dad I understand the pain of your loss. When my dad was in the hospital the priest came in and asked me about my father and I begin to cry. The priest said so kindly to me, you are so lucky to have loved someone that much that you cry for the loss of them and the loss to yourself. Consider yourself blessed!
I do!

Eugene Doyon, Kernersville, N.C.

January 15, 2025

Sorry to hear of your fathers passing Andrew. God Bless your family during this most difficult time. I remember as a young boy your dad working out in the yard at Spring Lake. He always kept his property so clean and neat. Your dad was a great man, and from what I've seen reminiscing through the photo album he had such a wonderful loving family. Take care my friend...

Diane Robinson Durand

January 15, 2025

My Deepest Sympathy and Prayers to the Palmer Family . My parents Gordon & Elaine Robinson Loved Drew & Peg and shared so many Beautiful Memories with them . My mom still carries around Maggie´s picture in her wallet and misses her deeply . Peg & Drew were class acts and a wonderful couple and will be missed . Drew has been Reunited with his Beautiful Angel Maggie and are now your Guardian Angels watching over the Family . RIP Mr. Palmer

Donna DaSilva-Mangra

January 14, 2025

My deepest sympathy to the Palmer family. For the short time I took care Drew ( papa) I learned a lot about his life and what a wonderful person he was. May he rest in peace

Andrew P. Palmer

January 14, 2025

Here are just two examples of the type of fellow my dad was.

When the wife of an employee of his was in the hospital, my dad, who was on the board of directors of the hospital, made one phone call and had her transferred from a room she shared with two other patients to a private room. He paid for the difference. He never told anybody at the time and only told me in a recent conversation.

In another case, a waitress that served my parents every time they visited one of their favorite Vero Beach restaurants was in obvious need of dental work but could not afford it. My dad slipped her a note when he paid the bill one morning with the name of his dentist and his phone number. Today she has a beautiful smile and my dad picked up the tab.

There are many examples of my parents doing things they did not need to do to help friends and even total strangers. They never told anybody about it. No sick friend of theirs ever went without a visit from them. If they needed shopping done or food prepared my parents just did it.

My dad often said to me, "Never be afraid to do what is right." May his legacy continue.

His last words to me were, "I love you, pal." I couldn't ask for a better pal and I miss him terribly.

Andrew P. Palmer

January 14, 2025

It is a terrible thing to love what death can touch.

It is a fearful thing to love, hope, dream: to be - to be, and oh! To lose.

A thing for fools this, and a holy thing, a holy thing to love.

For your life has lived in me, your laugh once lifted me, your word was gift to me.

To remember these things is a painful joy. It is a very human thing, love, a holy thing, to love what death has touched.

So,

When I am gone, give what's left of me away
to sick children and old people who wait to go with me.

And if you need to shed tears,
shed them for the stranger on the street who walks beside you.

And if you feel a need for me, put your arms around someone you love and give them what you need to give me.

I want to give you a gift!

Something much better than mere words or noise.
Look for the people whom I've held and loved,
and try your best to give me away,
so that I may live in your eyes and not just in your mind.

You can love me best by holding onto someone you love, while letting go of your children so they can be free.

Love doesn't die . . . people do.

So, when all that's left of me is the love part,
give that part away.