Donald Parker

Surrounded by his family, Donald Leslie Parker passed away at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance on Monday June 13, 2011 at the age of 86 years. A proud veteran of the Navy, having served in WWII, Don started his working life as a fisherman in Erieau and sailed on the Alexander Leslie but spent most of his career touring through Ontario working as a Hoist Engineer for Birmingham Construction. Donald is survived by his wife of 32 years Patricia Parker. He was predeceased by his first wife Mildred “Mickey” Parker in 1975 and by his infant son Ricky Gordon Parker. He will be missed by his children Pam & Tom Innes of Petawawa, Larry & Gloria Parker of Cedar Springs, Tim & Marg Parker of Blenheim, Don-Paul Parker of Chatham, Dennis Parker of St. Charles and by his step children Rebecca Spicer of Chatham and Paul Sass of Calgary, Alberta. Don is survived by his sister Jean & George Verstraete of Blenheim and his brothers Gordon & Evelyn Parker of Chatham, Bob & Alice Parker of Erieau, Bill & Mary Parker of Blenheim and by his sisters in law Helen Parker and Audrey Parker of Erieau. He was predeceased by his sisters Dorothy Bond, Bessie Turner and Hazel Tanner, his brothers Harold “Boots” Parker and Jack “JB” Parker, sister in law Irene Parker and step son Richard Sass. Donald was also blessed with eleven grandchildren and a number of great grandchildren. Friends and family are invited to offer their support at gatherings on Wednesday from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home. A Legion Service will be held at 7 p.m. A Funeral Service for Don will be held at the Funeral Home on Thursday June 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. David Fuller of St. Paul’s Anglican Church officiating. Cremation will follow with a private family graveside service at a later date. Friends wishing to remember Don with a memorial donation are asked to consider the Canadian Cancer Society or the Heart & Stroke Foundation.