Joseph C. Palmer

Joseph C. Palmer, age 87, of Danvers, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at Beverly Hospital surrounded by family. He was the loving husband of Nancy (Hill) Palmer, with whom he shared 39 years of marriage.

Born in Lynn on November 27, 1938, Joe was the son of the late John and Doris (Gauthier) Palmer. He was raised and educated in Beverly and was a graduate of Beverly High School, Class of 1956.

Joe served his country honorably in the United States Army with the 82nd Airborne Division. Then served overseas in Korea with the 1st Calvary Division. His sense of duty, pride and camaraderie remained with him throughout his life.

Joe’s father owned and operated John’s Market in Middleton for many years, an experience that launched Joe into a long and fulfilling career in the food industry. From an early age, he learned the art of salesmanship and, more importantly, the joy of talking with customers, neighbors, and friends. He was proud of his work with Gatorade, where he was part of the marketing team during the product’s earliest days. He later enjoyed many successful years with Catelli Foods and especially Kayem Foods, where he was a well-liked and respected member of the sales team.

A resident of Danvers for nearly four decades, Joe was deeply involved in the community. He was a devoted member of the Danvers Kiwanis Club, as well as a past chairperson of the Danvers Council on Aging. He was a member of Ipswich Country Club and he served a rotation on the Board of Governors. He enjoyed baseball, football, and golf, and in his younger years was active in the Pioneer Softball League.

In addition to his beloved wife Nancy, Joe is survived by his daughters, Susan Rojee and her husband Ernie of Douglas, and Deborah Dodge and her husband Bill, of Iowa; his stepson, Mark Warwick and his wife Christine of Groveland; his brothers, Stefan Palmer and his wife Peggy of Topsfield, and Bradley Palmer and his wife Susan of Southboro; two cherished grandchildren, Luke Dodge and Tessa Palmer; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Doris O’Connell.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Joe’s Funeral Mass on Monday, January 5, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant Street, Danvers. Burial will follow in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, January 4, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Directors, 28 Elm St., Danvers. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to Beverly Hospital, 85 Herrick St., Beverly, MA 01915 or the Danvers People to People Food Pantry, PO Box 2076, Danvers, MA 01923. To share a message of sympathy with the Palmer family, please visit www.LyonsFuneral.com.