James C. Parker (1942-2016)

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WILTON – It is with heavy hearts that we wish to share the passing of James C. Parker, 73, of Wilton, on Thursday evening, July 21, 2016. He was surrounded by the family to whom he devoted his life.

James C. Parker
James C. Parker

He was born on Aug. 19, 1942, in Rumford, a son of Aaron and Blanche (Holman) Parker. They moved to his beloved home in Wilton where he spent the remainder of his life.

He was educated in local schools and graduated from Wilton Academy in 1960. He graduated from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in 1974. On Dec. 28, 1963, he married Joyce Pease and for 22 years they raised three children together, Jim, John and Julie. On Sept. 5, 1986, he married Patricia (Patti) Bellegarde, expanding their family with her two daughters, Carol and Lynn. They have enjoyed every moment of the last 30 years.

In Jim’s early years, he was employed at G. H. Bass Shoe as a hand sewer, supplementing his income picking apples for Harnden’s Orchard. He was hired by Town Manager John Donald, Sr. and began working on the highway department on Nov. 21, 1971, transferring within the year to the Police Department where he worked for 32 years, retiring in Sept. of 2004.

Throughout his life, he enjoyed hunting, ice fishing, smelting with his dad, four-wheeling, gardening and preserving the veggies that he grew. Jim loved his Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He also enjoyed spending time with his son, Jim, traveling to Louden, N.H. for NASCAR races and always enjoyed watching Kaden and Gavin, whenever he could.

In his later years of life, he and Patti were blessed to travel to see the beauty of our country visiting all states, but Hawaii, together. He taught his father-in-law, Roger Bellegarde, how to appreciate and enjoy auctions of all sorts.

He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Patti, of Wilton; son, James and his wife Cathleen of Wilton; John and his fiancée Laurie of Lewiston; daughters: Julie Parker and companion Richie Currier of Chesterville; Carol Perkins of Farmington and Lynn Perkins and her fiancée Chuck Lake of Wilton; his beloved grandchildren: Ryan, Natasha, Nicole, Kyle, Kevin, Kaden, Gavin and Olivia; great-grandchildren: Shelby and Preston; sister, Linda Abbott of Anson; brother, Merton Parker of New Sharon; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

There are no words to express how grateful he was to have a life-long friend, John Donald Jr.

He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, June Gould.

His family wishes to offer heartfelt thanks to AHCH for amazing care and support, with special thanks to his nurse and friend, Donna Clark.

At Jim’s request, immediate family will gather privately to celebrate his life on the land he loved so deeply. His family asks that in lieu of flowers, remembrance gifts be made in Jim’s honor to AHCH 15 Strawberry Ave., Lewiston, Me. 04240 or to Honor Flight of Maine PO Box 1770 Portland, ME 04101-1770.

Condolences and tributes may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com, where his memorial video will be shared later this week. Cremation services are being provided by the Cremation Care division of the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., (Rtes. 2 & 27), Farmington.

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33 Comments

  1. So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. I was just wondering how he was. My thoughts to the whole family. He was a family friend and a caring person.

  2. Our deepest condolences to the family! Jim was an awesome man and will be remembered for all he did! Thoughts and prayers!

  3. Jim was a fixture in our house my entire childhood. Jim and my father grew up together, hunted together, and enjoyed many excursions and adventures in the woods and fields. We will miss him!

  4. Our Condolences to Jim’s family and friends .. he was a great person and asset to our town I pray for peace to you hearts ..

  5. To Patty, James, john, and Julie. So sorry to hear of your loss Jimmy was a great person, also a good friend with Norman. I know it’s not easy. so thoughts are with you all. God bless.

  6. Our deepest sympathy go out to all of you, Jim was a great guy. I had the pleasure to work for him as a reserve officer for the Wilton Police Department. A wonderful person he was to work for, but more of a friend that where ever you ran into him he would always go out of his way to say hi and ask how we were. Great person.

    Jim Dunn

  7. Thoughts are with Jim’s entire family.
    I know you all will miss him very much and I wish you all strength during your time of grieving.

  8. my condolences to jimmy’s family! i didn’t know him well, but my dad worked for him for years and thought very highly of him. those were the days when you could walk downtown in wilton at 2 am (if you couldn’t sleep, like i often couldn’t) and feel very safe as we had the best town and law enforcement in maine. rip jimmy parker, you’ll never be forgotten :(

  9. Condolences to entire Parker family, I was first hired as a part-time police officer 1979 by Jim. He was a person/chief of police that made things happen and kept citizens safe. He will be sadly missed by many including me.

  10. To the Parker Family. So sorry for your loss Jim was a great guy. Thoughts are with you in your time of sorrow,

  11. Thoughts are with your family. Will never forget the trip to Anticosti Island.

  12. My condolences to the family. He was a good husband and father. I know he will be missed.

  13. Patty and the entire Parker family. I’m saddened to hear of Jim and his passing. I’m forever greatful that he gave a 23 year old kid a chance. You were all so kind to me when I first moved to the area and will always remember that. My deepest condolences.

  14. Sorry to hear about Jim’s passing our thoughts are Patti and his family.

  15. I am sorry for the loss of such a good man. Jim watched over me and so many other young officers in our early years. Several times he was first on scene when I would be scrapping with someone in Jay. I had huge respect for his ability to talk to anyone regardless of the crisis at hand. Solid advice and a big heart. I was so proud when he came by his office to wish me well. Always, with Jim, it was family first. Condolences to Patti and the family.

  16. Jim was a good man. As a new Trooper in Franklin County in the mid 1990’s, he welcomed me into his police department. My condolences to the entire family. RIP Chief.

  17. So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Sending our heartfelt condolences.

  18. Jim was a wonderful person. We are sending our heartfelt condolences to his family.

  19. Our sincere condolences to Patti and the family. We both worked with Jimmy and respected him. This is such sad news. Hugs and may he rest in peace.

    Harold and Connie Small

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