John M. Palmer Jr., 78, of Derry, NH died Monday, July 31, 2006 in Pleasant Valley Nursing Home, Derry after a lengthy illness. He was born in Derry on May 8, 1928, a son of the late John M. and Florence (Dougan) Palmer Sr.. He attended local school and graduated from Pinkerton Academy in 1948. He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Hawkins, stationed in the Mediterranean Sea. He retired from the US. Navy Reserves as an E-5 Electricians Mate. He was an active and proud member and past president of the Naval Enlisted Men Reserve Association. Prior to his retirement, he had been employed by the former First National Stores in Derry, Milford, NH and Keene, NH. He later worked for Market Basket Stores in Tewksbury, MA and Londonderry, NH. A resident of Derry for most of his life, he lived in Milford, NH for more than 15 years. John was a member of the First Parish Congregational Church, where he served on the Christian Education Committee and the Best Breakfast Committee. He was a volunteer at Parkland Medical Center in Derry and had received recognition for his service to the hospital. He was also a member of the American Legion Post # 23 of Milford.
He is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Johnson of Providence RI and Sarah Ruffell of Merrimack, NH; two sons, John M. Palmer III of Fredericksburg, VA and Bryan Palmer of Royal Palm Beach, FL; 8 grandchildren, Steven Johnson of Pawtucket, RI, Michael Johnson of Seekonk, MA, Linda Johnson of Providence, RI, Jacob and Ryan Palmer of Fredericksburg, VA, Chandler Ruffell of Merrimack NH, Nicholas and Brandon Palmer of West Palm Beach, FL; a brother Wilbur Palmer of Derry a niece, Melissa Polk of Derry, a nephew, David Palmer of Concord, NH and many cousins.
Calling hours were held in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry on Thursday, August 3rd from 6 to 8 PM. A funeral service was held on Friday at 9:30 AM in the First Parish Congregational Church, 47 East Derry Rd., Derry. Burial followed in Forest Hill Cemetery, E. Derry.