GILFORD ---- Dr. Keith Parrish, 72, of Gilford, died peacefully at his home on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Keith was born on October 28, 1951, in Beaver Falls, PA, the son of William and Aileen (Wakefield) Parrish.
As a graduate of Penn State University and Logan College of Chiropractic, Dr. Parrish was dedicated to the healing arts as a chiropractor for 47 years. He served as a volunteer fireman and EMT for the Fairfield Hose Company and Kearsarge Fire Department in western PA and out of City Hospital in St. Louis, MO. He also served in leadership roles in Kiwanis and the Inter-Church Ministries in Erie, PA, as well as a delegate to the World Methodist Council in 1996 in Brazil and 2000 in England.
Like his father, Keith found joy through music. He played the trombone in the pit orchestra at the Erie Playhouse and Gilford High School, and was a longtime member of Carter Mountain Brass Band, the Gilford Community Band, and the Center Harbor Town Band. Keith also sang with Circuit Rider 5 and performed with Circuit Rider Theatre and in community productions of Fiddler on the Roof, The Wizard of Oz, and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat. In recent years, Keith played flugelhorn, tin whistle and the Native American flute, too.
Keith also enjoyed wild animal sightings, tending plants, and learning Scottish-Gaelic, Spanish and German.
Keith is survived by his partner, Rev. Dr. Victoria Wood Parrish, his children Rev. Heather and her husband Eric Valosin, Dr. Kathleen and her husband Dr. Billy Graham, and James Parrish. Also surviving are his sisters Linda Sullivan and Carolyn DaValle and her husband Don DaValle, nephew Jason and his wife Jacque, nieces Courtney and Caralee, and his cherished grandchildren, Micah, Xander, Madeline and Tanner. In addition to his parents, Keith is predeceased by his grandson Austin.
There will be no calling hours.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00am, at the First United Methodist Church, 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, NH 03249. The service will be livestreamed on YouTube at https://youtube.com/live/1tW0eE348wg?feature=share
Donations can be made in his memory to Carter Mountain Brass Band, c/o Robin Jackman, P.O. Box 7114, Laconia, NH 03247, Gilford Community Band c/o Lyvie Beyrent, Gilford HS, 88 Alvah Wilson Rd., Gilford, NH 03249 or Center Harbor Town Band, Municipal Building, P.O. Box 140, 36 Main St., Center Harbor, NH 03226.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.