OSSIPEE, NH- It is with broken hearts and extreme sadness that my siblings and I share the passing of our father, Harold E. Parker JR (Skip to friends and family), age 73, passed away on September 9, 2024, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.
Skip was born in Waltham, MA on April 7, 1951, to the late Harold E. Parker, SR and Geraldine (Candage) Parker.
Skip graduated from high school and enlisted into the United States Army at the very young age of 17. Skip was called to action and went to Vietnam War where he was a crew chief. Skips was a purple heart recipient for wounds he received when his helicopter was shot down, May 17,1971. Skip married Cindy (Magoon) on October 7, 1972. The military relocated Skip to Germany for 3 ½ years. The 2nd relocation took Skip to Fort Deven, MA, where he was a member of the Army Special Forces. Skip was sent on maneuver to Korea for a year. The 3rd relocation was across the United States to Colorado Springs, CO where Skip was stationed for 18 months. The 4th relocation Skip moved across the ocean to the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. Skip went on maneuver to Japan and took some college classes while stationed at Schofield Barracks. The 5th relocation took Skip to Granite City, Illinois, however St. Louis, Missouri is where he worked at the US Army Reserve Center. While stationed here Skip continued his schooling at got his master’s degree. Skip and his first wife divorced after 26 years in 1997. The 5th and final relocation took Skip to Huntsville, AL where he worked at Redstone Arsenal. Skip married his second wife Gail Elizabeth on May 18, 1998, in Huntsville, AL. Skip felt very fortunate and was proud of his service to his country. He made a 32-year career serving in the United States Army and retired at the rank of Sergeant Major and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his services in 2000. Skip decided he wasn’t ready for retirement and started working as a civilian for the United States Army and retired from that 20-year career in 2020, when he moved to Ossipee NH.
Skip is predeceased by his wife, Gail Elizabeth Parker, who passed away on February 3, 2017, and his brother Joseph Parker, who passed away on July 31, 2003.
Skip is survived by his son David Parker (spouse Malinda, 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren) of Florida, his daughter Dasha Stewart (Spouse-Shawn, 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren) of Ossipee, NH and his daughter Brandie Brown (husband Nicholas and 3 children) of Litchfield, ME. His siblings Judith of Sanford, ME; Debbie (husband Mark) of Lebanon, ME; Michael (wife Betty) of Sandwich, NH; Johnny (wife Brenda) of Wakefield, NH; and Laura (husband Michael) of Springvale, ME.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 28,2024 at 1:30pm for family and 2 -3 PM for the public at Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, 71 Maple St, Cornish, Me 04020. Graveside funeral services will follow at 3:05pm at Riverside Cemetery, Cornish, ME and a celebration of life will follow at 4pm at the Cornish Municipal Office, 17 Maple Street, Cornish, Me 04020.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the mainefuneral.com