Howard F. Palmer, 80, of Derry, NH died Tuesday evening, December 30, 2003 at his home. He was born in Cambridge, MA on May 19, 1923, a son of the late Byron J, and Edna A. (Holz) Palmer. He was a resident of Derry since 1961, formerly living in Belmont, MA. He was a graduate of Belmont High School, Belmont, MA, Class of 1942. He was a Staff Sergeant in the US Army Air Force and served as a flight engineer on the B-17. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart. He was employed as a letter carrier for the Post Office in Derry for 22 years. He was a member of the VFW Post #1617 and the American Legion Lester Chase Post #9, both of Derry. He also held membership in the Disabled American Veterans and the Knights of Columbus Council #3023 where he was a 4th degree knight. He was also a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society in New York and the Hoodkroft Country Club in Derry. He was a communicant of St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Derry. He was a bowling and golf enthusiast.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Evangeline (Lavoie) Palmer of Derry, one son, Howard L. Palmer and his wife Sally of Amherst, NH, one daughter, Shirley Beane and her husband Dana of Shreveport, LA, four grandchildren, Dyan Backe of Madeira Beach, FL, Erin Desrosiers of Manchester, Brent Beane of Shreveport, LA, Michael Palmer of Amherst, one great grandchild, John Robert Backe of Madeira Beach, FL, two sisters, Joanne Tousignant of Pittsfield, MA, Claire Palmer of East Granby, CT, several nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday January 5th at 10:00am at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Avenue, Derry with cremation to follow. Burial will be in the Spring in Holy Cross Cemetery, Londonderry. Friends may call at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry on Sunday from 2-4pm. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Avenue, Derry, NH 03038.