Beloved Footscray identity Ron Palmer, 92, has died.
Ronald John Palmer, widely known as “Mr Footscray”, passed away peacefully last Tuesday.
The lifelong resident dedicated his life to helping the community.
He joined the RAAF air crew at age 16 and went to war at the age of 18, serving for three years in the Pacific during World War II.
He was the founder of the Yarraville Carols by Candlelight and a founding member of the Save the Bulldogs committee.
Mr Palmer volunteered widely and served as the chairman or president of the Footscray RSL, West Footscray Rotary Club, Footscray Historical Society, Footscray Yarraville City Band, the Footscray branch of the Australian Labor Party and a host of other organisations.
He was recognised as a life member of the Footscray RSL, Western Bulldogs Football Club, Footscray Yarraville City Band and Footscray Community Arts Centre as well as the Gilmore College for Girls and the ALP.
Honours for Mr Palmer included an Order of Australia and the Australian Centenary Medal, along with recognition as Footscray citizen of the year and the Premier’s senior citizen of Victoria award.
Passionate about re-greening the west, Mr Palmer led environmental campaigns across many of the area’s parks and gardens.
He is survived by Marjorie, his wife of almost 60 years, and sons Stephen, David and Simon.
A funeral service was held at St John’s Anglican Church in Footscray on Tuesday, followed by a wake at Maribyrnong Town Hall.
