WEBSTER- Richard F. Parslow, 86, a 65 year resident of Webster, passed Friday, April 7, 2023 surrounded by his family.
He was born to James and Winifred (Hastings) Parslow on July 29, 1936 in Worcester, MA. Raised in Clinton, he graduated from Clinton High School in 1953 and enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served during the Korean Conflict. After the Army, he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree, both in Business Administration, from Clark University.
Dick was a contract administrator for the U.S. Government, working at Pratt-Whitney Company in Hartford for many years before retiring in 1988. He also prepared taxes at H. & R. Block Company and worked in security at the Commerce Insurance Company.
Dick was a communicant of Saint Joseph’s Basilica where he served on the parish council, was the former chairman of the finance board, was a long-time collector, and was a member of the Holy Rosary Sodality, the Sacred Heart Society and the Knights of Columbus Council #12980. He was an active member of the former Webster Lodge of Elks #1466, where he served in many capacities including two terms as exalted ruler and was a present member of Auburn-Webster Lodge #2118.
In his younger years, he coached and was the President of the Webster Little League and a director of the Webster Senior League. He enjoyed watching the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.
He was an avid dancer who never hesitated to take a spin around the dance floor with his wife or anyone else within reach to dance the polka. His passion led him to becoming an instructor at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Worcester.
He was the beloved husband of Patricia A. (Szczepaniak) Parslow, with whom he shared 65 wonderful years of marriage and together they raised three sons: Keith, Jack and James. He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia of Webster, two of his sons, Keith R. Parslow and his wife Pamela of Douglas, and James F. Parslow and his wife Sharon of Northbridge; a daughter-in-law, Brenda A. Parslow of Ashford, CT; 6 grandchildren, Michael, Sheila, Jack, Rachel, Bethany and Ryan Parslow; 2 great-grandchildren, Ella and Rayna; a brother, Joseph Parslow and his wife Janet of Chicopee; a sister, Patricia Joyce of Hudson; and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his son John P. “Jack” Parslow in 2015, and by 6 brothers and sisters, twins James and Rosemary, Thomas, Dorothy, Philip, and Gail.
His funeral will be held on Friday, April 21, from the Sitkowski, Malboeuf & Hickey Funeral Home, 340 School Street, Webster, MA with a Mass at 11:00 AM in Saint Joseph’s Basilica, 53 Whitcomb Street, Webster, MA. The burial will be in Saint Joseph’s Garden of Peace with military honors provided by the Webster-Dudley Veterans Council. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 10:30 AM Friday in the funeral home prior to the Mass. Donations in his name may be made to Saint Joseph’s Elementary School, 47 Whitcomb Street, Webster, MA 01570.