BENTON – Wayne Douglas Parker passed away at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on May 20, 2014. His death was the result of a long illness.
He was born on May 20, 1957 to Loren H Parker, Sr and Marvis Heald Harrington.
Wayne is survived by his fiance Susan E Bartsch; his son Herbert and Tammy Landry, Norridgewock; two stepsons: Vincent and Dee Bartsch, San Diego, Calif., and Christopher A Bartsch, Sr, Albion; one grandson, Christopher A Bartsch, Jr, Waterville; two granddaughters: Ashley Emery, Canaan, and Jennifer L Bartsch, Albion; one great granddaughter, Chelsea Lynn Godbout, Canaan; two brothers: Loren H and Rebecca Parker, Jr, Madison, and Steven Parker, New York; one sister, Evelyn A Parker, Norwich, Conn.; two half-brothers: Neil and Jeffrey Harrington Norridgewock; two brothers-in-law: Peter J and Brenda Richards, West Gardiner, and Thomas F and Linda Richards, East Vassalboro; and one sister-in-law, James and Mary Jane Vigue, Winslow, and six cousins: Barry and Donna Walker, Dale and Gloria Walker, North New Portland; Brenda and Gerald French, Lakewood; Richard and Barbara Parker, North New Portland; Camilla and Bernard Nichols, Madison; Emily and Richard Poulin, Fairfield, and many nieces and nephews.
He is also survived by two very dear friends: Alberta Landry Cody, Anson, and Danielle Rawson, North New Portland. Wayne and
Susan were Soul Mates and shared their lives together for almost 28 years.
Wayne was predeceased by his parents; one uncle, Erwin Parker; one aunt, Elmira G Harrington; and one half-brother, Walter Cray. His other aunt, Oleta Pearl Parker Walker, passed away on May 21, 2014.
Wayne began his automotive career at the age of 16, while attending Skowhegan High School. His other interests were varied and included working on local race cars, NASCAR, camping, carpentry, and CB radios (Unit 31 in Central Maine, handle: Roadrunner).
He survived three heart attacks prior to 2000, when he became a paraplegic and a Cancer Survivor. In the past 10 years, he built several small and large block engines, designed and built furniture for his home, and used his latest radio to talk to people from France to the British Isles and from Canada to the Caribbean, as well as ham operators on US Navy ships in the Pacific Ocean.
Wayne’s family wishes to express their appreciation to everyone who has contributed to his well-being and happiness, and especially to Steve Thompson, Tom Hachey, Dr Owen Pickus, Inland Hospital, Eastern Maine Medical Center, and Mount St. Joseph.
A wake was held this Friday at his home in Benton and was well attended by family and friends. Internment will be in the Parker Cemetery, behind the North Village Cemetery in North New Portland at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2014.
Arrangements under the care and direction of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan.
